By Jeremy Sollars
Local State LNP Member for Southern Downs James Lister has described a Labor MP’s accusation that he was physically pushed by Mr Lister during a parliamentary hearing this week as “a complete fabrication’.
Brisbane media reported earlier today, Friday 27 July, that Labor MP Peter Russo planned to write to Speaker of the Parliament Curtis Pitt to allege a physical altercation with Mr Lister took place during estimates committee hearings yesterday.
Mr Russo has alleged that Mr Lister pushed him on the left shoulder during the session, a claim Mr Lister strongly denies.
Mr Russo is the chair of parliament’s Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee and is the Labor MP for Toohey in Brisbane’s south.
He alleges Mr Lister pushed him on the shoulder “to get my attention”.
“I’m trying to focus on what’s going on and what people are saying and what the questions and responses are,“ Mr Russo is quoted as telling Brisbane media.
“He’s interrupting me … and I’m saying, don’t interrupt me, if you’ve got a point of order, have a point of order, but he wanted to have a sideline discussion.
“He gets up and then he pushes me to get my attention because I’m basically ignoring him.“
Mr Lister said in the statement to the Free Times today he had not received “any formal complaint to respond to”.
“I did place my hand on Peter’s shoulder to gain his attention,” Mr Lister said.
“This occurred in front of dozens of people in the chamber, no complaint was made at the time.
“I dispute the allegation and I am disappointed it was made through the media for political purposes.
“This is a complete fabrication to distract the media away from Labor’s abysmal estimates performance.“
An LNP spokesman told Brisbane media the party had not received a complaint but “we will be defending the allegations”.
Estimates hearings allow opposition MPs to scrutinise government expenditure.
