'Crisis would be an understatement': Frecklington denies referral to election watchdog
The LNP campaign has been thrown into "chaos" after the ABC claimed party leader Deb Frecklington had been referred to the election watchdog over a series of fundraising events.
ABC Brisbane claimed Ms Frecklington had been referred to Electoral Commission Queensland amid concerns about whether the events complied with rules to curb the influence of property developers.
LNP leader Deb FrecklingtonCredit:Matt Dennien.
The LNP says the ABC's story is wrong, and denies there have been any breaches of the funding rules.
The Labor government passed laws in 2018, backdated until before the 2017 Queensland election, banning property developers from donating money to state and local government politicians, candidates and parties.
Nineteen days out from the state poll, Ms Frecklington's campaign was in crisis mode on Tuesday morning ahead of a fundraiser lunch with the Prime Minister later in the day.
"Crisis would be an understatement. It's chaos," a source close to the campaign told Brisbane Times.
A spokesman for the LNP said Ms Frecklington had not been referred to the ECQ by the party.
"The ABC's allegation that the LNP has referred Deb Frecklington to the ECQ is false. It has not," he said.
"The LNP regularly communicates with the ECQ to ensure that we comply with the Act."
The ECQ has been contacted for comment.
More to come
Lydia Lynch is Queensland political reporter for the Brisbane Times
Jocelyn Garcia is a journalist at the Brisbane Times, covering breaking news.