LNP preserves state Labor's status

This is the kind of action one might expect from a regime trying to cling to power in Central America or in some backward African nation. Unfortunately, this has occurred in Queensland and under a government with the largest majority in the state's history. It underlines a government filled more with paranoia than confidence. It also leaves the Premier's comments that he would govern with grace, humility and dignity in tatters.

Former premier, Peter Beattie, showed what governing with grace, humility and dignity means when he approved staff and resources for One Nation in 2003. At the time, they only had two members of parliament. Katter's Australian Party now has three, equal to the representation of the Liberal Party a decade ago.

Peter Beattie also amended legislation to give parliamentary recognition to the Liberal Party. Even before this was passed, he approved resources in the parliamentary precinct. Ten years later this generosity has been forgotten.

The LNP government's actions since the election are clearly discriminatory towards Katter's Australian Party. After the election, its members were the only parliamentarians to have administrative support cut. Their access to basic functions like photocopying and printing was limited. Even the water cooler was placed out of bounds.

It is now the only party that has had its members' offices separated. As punishment, Ray Hopper was moved to an old store room, two levels below the other parliamentary offices. It does not have the same security or privacy afforded other elected representatives. The only barrier between it and the public barbeque area is two glass doors that have been sealed shut with silicone.

These actions are all petty. It is much more serious that the LNP government has rushed through legislation to remove rights from Katter's Australian Party that were afforded under the law. This was a gloomy day for Queensland democracy, made darker by the Labor opposition that also acted supported legislation to shut down an alternative political voice.