Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk must immediately explain why she ignored repeated warnings about the Labor corruption crisis in Ipswich, LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said today.
Ms Frecklington said the Premier was directly responsible for the implosion of the Labor-run council and owed the people of Ipswich an explanation – and an apology.
"I’m pleased that Stirling Hinchliffe has backed my call to sack Ipswich’s rotten council," Ms Frecklington said.
"But the Palaszczuk Government must do much more to restore public confidence.
"The Labor Member for Bundamba and former Labor Member for Cairns both raised the alarm about Ipswich City Council, but the Premier ignored and shunned them.
"The Premier closed her eyes and ears to allegations of systemic Labor corruption.
"Why did Annastacia Palaszczuk ignore the scandal brewing in her own backyard?
"This scandal is engulfing some of the highest-profile politicians in Labor and people the Premier calls friends.
"Twelve people at Ipswich City Council have been charged, including two high profile Labor mayors.
"We haven’t seen a crisis like this in Queensland since the Fitzgerald Inquiry.
"The reputation of Ipswich is being dragged through the mud – thanks to Labor.
"The Premier must tackle Labor corruption everywhere it exists."
