Incident Overview

Jarrod Bleijie, Queensland's deputy premier, used parliamentary privilege to raise unsubstantiated allegations about several Labor MPs, including a secret relationship between Nikki Boyd and Tom Smith. The claims were denied by the targeted MPs and criticized as sexist.

Key Details

• The Allegation: Bleijie implied that Nikki Boyd, former corrective services minister, and Tom Smith, MP for Bundaberg, had an undisclosed relationship while Boyd was a minister. He questioned whether they had disclosed it publicly, obtained a conflict of interest management plan, or sought Integrity Commissioner advice.
• The Context: The attack followed a week of scrutiny on LNP ministers Tim Mander and Amanda Camm over their relationship and declarations.
• Further Threats: Bleijie also threatened to expose private matters involving other opposition members, including shadow treasurer Shannon Fentiman.

Statements

"To be able to go into the parliament and throw around allegations like that, I think it's pretty serious and frankly, pretty disgusting."
— Nikki Boyd, Labor MP

Nikki Boyd denied the allegations, calling them untrue and sexist.

"Baseless lies" and a "new low" for parliament.
— Tom Smith, Labor MP

Tom Smith rejected the claims outright, questioning why the allegations were not raised when Labor was in government if they had any basis.

"Quite low ball" — the people of Queensland were the losers as their issues were not being addressed.
— Dr John Mickel, QUT adjunct professor, former Labor MP and parliamentary speaker

Background

Queensland ministers Tim Mander and Amanda Camm had faced questions about whether they properly declared their relationship and managed potential conflicts of interest. Bleijie's comments were framed as a response to Labor's criticism of the LNP ministers.