Messenger shoots himself and LNP mate in the foot?

Written by Robert Schwarten:

A meeting planned in Bundaberg tomorrow night by Member for Bundaberg Jack Dempsey has been hi-jacked by his LNP colleague, the Member for Burnett, Public Works Minister Robert Schwarten said today.

Mr Schwarten said Mr Messenger had done the equivalent of shooting himself in the foot and shooting Mr Dempsey in the foot at the same time.

"Mr Messenger has made a complaint to the Crime and Misconduct Commission regarding Building Services Authority leadership and, as such, it is entirely inappropriate for the BSA General Manager, Mr Ian Jennings to attend such a meeting," Mr Schwarten said.

"I have no problem with Mr Dempsey organising a meeting of his constituents, but from the correspondence I have received from Mr Messenger it seems to me that he has pushed Mr Dempsey out of the equation.

"Aside from the political rudeness to his own Liberal National Party mate, this does nothing to help Mr Dempsey's, or for that matter, Mr Messenger's consti tuents."

Mr Schwarten said that he was more than happy to have Mr Jennings attend a meeting of concerned sub-contractors or other individuals who had been affected by the recent failure of building companies in the Bundaberg area.

"It is clear that Mr Messenger has a political agenda. He is not interested in helping these people, he is merely interested in scoring political points from them."

Mr Schwarten said he was advised that the BSA had assisted nine customers of failed builder Coral Coast Homes, and Mr Jennings or his Deputy had been to Bundaberg on three occasions.

"I am more than happy for Mr Jennings to attend a meeting with Mr Dempsey and his constituents but given there is a CMC investigation of BSA leadership instigated by Mr Messenger, it is pointless having Mr Jennings there while this matter is under investigation.

"Mr Messenger has made it clear that he has no confidence in the leadership of the BSA and I am truly amaze d that he would want the BSA General Manager to be at a meeting.

"I am advised that the BSA has reserved a room at Bert Hinkler Motor Inn, Bundaberg, for a meeting with Mr Dempsey's constituents at 6:30pm tomorrow night, which will be paid for by the BSA. Mr Jennings will be present and will chair the meeting.

"This is not Mr Messenger's meeting and if he wishes to book and pay for another venue then so be it. That's a matter for him.

"I received today an invitation from Mr Messenger to attend a meeting tomorrow night and I have declined due to previous commitments, which I will not be cancelling simply because Mr Messenger clicks his fingers.

"I am currently considering my forward diary commitments in light of a letter from Mr Messenger which came to hand on 19 June.

"All members know my door is always open and not once has Mr Messenger come knocking. Not once has Mr Messenger ever made an appointment to see me to discuss this issue w hile the Parliament is sitting.

"I have made it clear to the BSA that it is to help however it can in these trying circumstances and I believe the BSA is doing just that.

"But I won't tolerate a Member of Parliament bullying public servants for their own political ends," Mr Schwarten said.