THE Nationals have escaped questions in NSW Parliament on the resignation of candidate for Orange Yvette Quinn after they were ruled out of order.
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The Nationals announced Ms Quinn’s resignation on Wednesday last week, citing personal reasons for her withdrawal, however party sources indicated she had polled poorly and was under pressure to quit.
Labor MLC Walt Secord asked during question time on Wednesday whether the 21-year-old mental health worker from Parkes was bullied.
What administrative steps is the government taking to ensure that senior government members ... did not bully her into withdrawing?”
- Labor MLC Walt Secord
“Given that Yvette Quinn has withdrawn her National party candidacy for Orange at the state election, and ... that the National party is ‘providing support to Ms Quinn’, what administrative steps is the government taking to ensure that senior government members, including parliamentary secretary the Honourable Rick Colless – who was identified ... as being part of a review group assessing her candidacy – did not bully her into withdrawing?” he asked.
Addressing the question to deputy Nationals leader Niall Blair, Mr Secord also asked whether the minister would investigate whether taxpayer resources were used to undertake the activities.
During question time, Liberal MLC Don Harwin opposed the question, saying there was no connection between the ministerial responsibilities Mr Blair had and the question asked.
VIDEO: Watch Mr Secord’s question below ...
“The matter is related to the internal affairs of a political party and a long line of precedents suggest that questions such as that are out of order,” he said.
Mr Colless, meanwhile, called Mr Secord a disgrace from across the chamber and Liberal Natalie Ward called him a grub, which she was later required to withdraw.
Despite Mr Secord’s assertion he was asking about public policy and the use of taxpayer resources, president of the house John Ajaka ruled the question referred to the affairs of a political party and were not in order, meaning Mr Blair was not required to answer the question.
Ms Quinn was contacted for comment.
The Nationals are yet to preselect a replacement for Ms Quinn to oppose Shooters, Fishers and Farmers incumbent Philip Donato, however Mr Colless previously indicated a man and a woman had expressed a preliminary interest.
Parkes mayor Ken Keith, who opposed Ms Quinn during the first preselection, has already ruled himself out of a second tilt.
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