As the news breaks of Billy Gordon being sacked by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, questions are emerging as to whether this move will end Labours fractional hold on power in QLD.

The sacking of Cook MP has ramifications that are beyond politics as the future of QLD politics and indigenous representation hangs in the balance.

Only last week Billy Gordon was sworn into Parliament as one of the first Indigenous Parliamentarians for his generation. This week he is exiled from the QLD Labour party forever.

Whether or not Billy Gordon resigns from Parliament, as his former employer Palaszczuk strongly recommends, isn’t clear and may not be for some time as Billy Gordon 6 hours ago Facebook’d his entire story to give his followers an explanation for his actions.

A mixed reaction has met Billy’s Facebook disclosure with many saying although they respect his honestly now that the time to disclose was before the election. Others are not being so forgiving.

The options:

Become an Independent and fight the recent accusations:
As neither charges, nor a conviction seem to have been recorded in terms of any alleged domestic violence claims, Billy may stay on as an Independent. This would amount to him having a balance of power with other independents.

Resignation:
This would bring about a by-election and Cook and Douglas would go back to the poles to vote in a new Cook representative and potentially a new government, with the Labour party holding power with a single vote.
Which way will you vote this time Douglas? Will David Kempton stand again?

Last time it appears the Labour candidate didn’t disclose he had a past that included break and enters and AVO’s. Will Labour’s disclosure policy this time ensure that the these matters will be presented to the Premier and Deputy as it has been confirmed by Palaszczuk that she nor the deputy knew any thing and would have acted differently if they had.

Well can only wait.

Newsport will be bringing you all the latest information as it comes to hand. All we know is that the whole of Australia is again looking to Far North Queensland for answers and this week its not, what damage did the cyclone do.

Billy Gordon Facebook story below in full.


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I want to firstly apologise to the people of Cook, the Premier and the ALP for failing to appropriately disclose parts of my criminal history.

Over the last couple of days details of my personal life have been made public.
Issues ranging from failure to lodge tax returns, failure to pay appropriate child support and most significantly allegations of domestic violence.

I have worked hard to rectify outstanding taxations and child support issues.

In relation to allegations of domestic violence the Premier has referred this matter to the Queensland Police Commissioner for investigation.

I welcome this investigation and will provide it with full cooperation.

The last couple of days have been a tremendous strain on my family and I. I have been extremely concerned about my children throughout this period as any father would be in this situation.

Throughout my life I have had to overcome many challenges and adversities. In particular as a young indigenous boy.
Growing up in a family that had its challenges and was far from perfect where both my mother and father struggled daily to keep the family together and put the basics in the household.

I remember wishing as young person that I had grown up with a ‘normal’ nuclear family.

Unfortunately that wasn’t the case. Growing up I remember spending a lot of time wanting what other kids had, like shoes, bikes, footballs etc. One of the things that I do remember wishing for the most, even into my years as a teenager, was for a perfect father figure, especially since as a young man I also had serious contact with the criminal justice system.

This contact has included being charged and convicted with:
• Breaking entering and stealing in 1987 in Innisfail
• Breaking and entering with intent, attempted breaking and entering and stealing in 1990 in Atherton
• Breach of probation in 1992 in Atherton
• Public nuisance in 1996 in Normanton and
• Breach of bail conditions in 1999 (stemming from not attending a court summons from the 1996 incident).

In addition I have twice had my driver’s licence suspended for unlicensed driving (2004 and 2008).

Finally, in 2008 I was served with an Apprehended Violence Order as a result of a complaint by my mother.

My mother at the time was concerned that I was going to return to a relationship with an ex-partner (we were at said ex-partner’s residence) and I asked her to leave in a manner that she found threatening. My mother has confirmed to me that there were no allegations of physical violence made with respect to this incident.

This AVO was never heard in court, and does not form part of my criminal record however I provide its details now for completeness.

I recognize that my own personal circumstances are no excuse for my non disclosure, however from this troubled and fractured past I've managed to piece together a positive and constructive life. That includes serving in the Army Reserves (51st Battalion), volunteering with the Foundation for Young Australian as Facilitating their Indigenous Youth Leadership forum and working for Reconciliation Australia as the organisations Education Officer, before being elected to the Queensland Parliament.