Whitsunday MP denies harassment claim

A Queensland MP booted from his party over sexual harassment allegations says he's sickened by details aired in state parliament by his former colleagues.

A Queensland politician insists sexual harassment allegations against him that were aired in state parliament by two former LNP colleagues are sickening lies.

Whitsunday MP Jason Costigan, 47, says details of a harassment complaint made by the family of an 18-year-old girl are not true.

It comes after Leader of Opposition Business Jarrod Bleijie and Liberal National Party MP Steve Minnikin on Tuesday used parliamentary privilege to make the allegations against Mr Costigan public.

Mr Bleijie told parliament the teenager feared she would be raped by Mr Costigan at her grandparents' rural property in Victoria last month.

He told parliament her family had complained that a "half naked" Mr Costigan followed her into a bedroom and closed the door behind them.

Under privilege, he said Mr Costigan told the teenager she was pretty and he liked young girls, then he touched her back and hair.

"She didn't ask him or invite him to touch her," Mr Bleijie said.

Mr Costigan, who was absent from the first and second sitting days for 2019, has denied any wrongdoing over that incident.

"Some of my parliamentary colleagues have seen fit to use parliamentary privilege to make accusations that they would not have the guts to make outside the House," he told the Courier Mail.

"The accusations in parliament ... make me sick.

"What's been said in relation to this young lady is lies, fantasy or things that have been taken way out of context to say the least."

Minister for Women Di Farmer raised questions in parliament on Wednesday about when the LNP first knew of complaints against Mr Costigan - and if the young woman had consented to her complaint being made public.

The LNP's side of the chamber said: "Yes".

Mr Costigan was dumped from the LNP earlier this month after the teenager's family lodged their complaint.

Mr Bleijie also told parliament under privilege on Tuesday, that since that time, another four women had come forward with further accusations against the now independent MP.

LNP Leader Deb Frecklington has asked Speaker Curtis Pitt to investigate Mr Costigan for workplace misconduct.

Meanwhile, the Whitsunday Regional Council on Wednesday voted unanimously to ask Education Minister Grace Grace what, if any, systems could be put in place if Mr Costigan visits a school.

"I want the education minister to be able to have policies and procedures in place that he's escorted around and you know, he's not pinning badges on young students," councillor Michael Brunker said.

"We've got parents that are concerned, we've got teachers that are concerned."

School visits are subject to the consideration of individual principals, an Education Department spokesperson said.

"Notwithstanding, under normal processes governing visits to schools by politicians, all members of parliament are entitled to visit schools within their electorate subject to operational convenience of the particular school," they said.

AAP has sought comment from Mr Costigan.


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Published 13 February 2019 6:24pm
Source: AAP


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