by Stephen Andrew MP for Mirani
The Bill extending the ongoing use of emergency powers passed earlier today.
It did so amidst the deafening roars of Queensland’s furious citizenry, outraged at the state’s ongoing slide into tyranny.
The second reading vote (the one that counts) was held at 5.22pm. The final result of the second reading was 82 votes in favour and 5 against. The five ‘NOs’ were myself, all three members of the Katter Australia Party, and the Independent Member for Noosa, Mrs Sandy Bolton.
When push came to shove, however, not a single member of the LNP found it within themselves to oppose the Bill until the 3rd reading when a division was called and the opposition changed their vote to end up 48 Ayes to 36 Noes.
Despite many admitting in their speeches, that they had been flooded by people begging them to vote against it, it wasn’t until the 11th hour.
A few even acknowledged that the vast majority in their electorates were opposed to it.
The debate had earlier been ‘guillotined’ by Labor, denying many members, including myself, from getting a chance to speak on the Bill.
I will post a copy of it later, so anyone interested can read what I planned to say.
It was a gut-wrenching end to a grueling week in Parliament.
Never was the Government’s hubris and arrogance more on display than it was today.
Studiously ignoring the stormy protests outside, one after another stood up and proceeded to gaslight the hell out of Queenslanders opposed to the Bill.
Instead of acknowledging people’s concerns, frustration and anger, or recognising what many have gone through the last 2 years, one Member said haughtily:
“I am sure all members of Parliament have been hammered by the anti-vaxxers who have gone down a rabbit hole with Ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine”.
I can only imagine how all those Queenslanders who fought so long and hard to stop this Bill, must be feeling tonight.
On a positive note, I want to thank my fellow cross-bench members, Sandy Bolton, Robbie Katter, Shane Knuth and Nick Dametto. All four were absolute stand-outs this week. Their electorates are lucky to have them.
All day, today, the chamber was filled with the ‘sound and fury’ of the people of this great state.
By the time the vote was taken, MPs were struggling to be heard above the din.
I am willing to bet that nothing remotely like it has ever been seen before in Qld.
Oh I know, we have had riots and protests before, but not like this.
This phenomenon of ordinary Queensland citizens taking to the streets in ‘numbers too big to ignore’ is completely unprecedented.
Everyday Mums and Dads, small business owners, tradies, truckers, emergency workers, nurses, teachers, sole traders, defence force staff, firefighters and pilots – these are the people who have drawn a line and said enough!
People who were once regarded as the ‘backbone of this nation’.
Described as “a minority group” by the Health Minister today.
I salute them all!
https://theyvoteforyou.org.au
If a member of the duopoly government said it was raining you would need to look outside before you commented. Likewise your member of parliament LNP person statement is just like rain – Go check for yourself Judith and see who is correct – https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/2022/2022_03_31_DAILY.pdf. ED2
These figures are incorrect. I contacted a member of the LNP who is in the parliament and was told that there were 31 NO votes by the LNP, no doubt add the other 5 votes (if that figure is correct) and there were three pairs which means 6 votes, and that makes 42 against in a 96 seat parliament. 50% would be 48 NO. Almost made it.
They never have listened to “the people”., Margaret.
What chance does our once beautiful country have when the politicians won’t listen to their people, yes it is tyranny. A very sad day, but we have to keep up the fight
Yestotruth and RJW seem to have clarity of vision. Everybody else is hurling words at the traitors. Wow, That must hurt. Not.
Action. That is what is needed. Action. All people have the right to rise up and rid themselves of tyrants. Nothing less will bring us freedom.
Just goes to show how we are treated as sheep and what a con job our “demokracy” is.
Our state and federal “demokracies” are now vesting power drunk psychopath premiers and ministers with the power to individually declare “emergencies” and rule as dictators!
Only a 2/3 majority of Parliament should be able to declare an “emergency”! In the case of an “emergency” any parliament can be recalled in less than 48 hours,
There is no emergency that warrants vesting dictatorial powers in ANY individual politician!
We the people are being sold out by treacherous political scum. Period.
Dead right. No Upper House means no Law-at all.
And they have not had one for decades and decades-and have you ever seen the katters and all the other alleged good guys calling that one out?
How about giant billboards on trailers at EVERY voting booth next election (and before) naming every one of these traitors.
The only emergency power QLD needs is the power to urgently get rid of Palushchook and the LNP/Labour duopoly. It needs genuine leadership and governance by normal people, that’s bigger than any other emergency QLD faces.
Hang On! What did the Upper House vote? No Upper House = No Law!
Yestotruth,
You don’t have to go to all that trouble to know that their interests are not for the public benefit. THEY’RE-BLOODY-POLITICIANS! ALMOST=BY-DEFINITION-THAT-MAKES-THEM-CRIMINALS.
I think it is time to start collecting addresses and pertinent details of these criminal bastards.
The turds used tax-payers money to pin us all down!
Yes once again we see there are no choices – they all work for the same foreign criminals.
A big thanks to you guys and Mal in the Senate – you have my respect!
Well, bottom line is: if there are so many that do not want these mandates-and a mandate it is not, as governments cannot mandate anything, because a mandate is a contract between a group of people seeking a contractor who can perform a function for them that they cannot do themselves (governments are contracted service providers: the servant, rather than the master) -then the people must just not observe the bogus mandate.
It has been said before, that if everyone just said: No, get stuffed, and refused mask and every other alleged “mandate”, then the bogus corporate government would be “stuffed.”
Why not track down those 82 votes, name & shame them in the public, give them all the template to informed consent as though they were an employer & ask them to fill it out if they refuse we know their vote in favour meant their interests never serve the public at all.