An exiled Labor MP has broken down in Queensland parliament while defending himself over an alleged domestic incident last year.
Member for Stafford Jimmy Sullivan was expelled from the Labor caucus last week, over what Opposition Leader Steven Miles said was a failure to comply with a safe return to work plan.
The government moved a motion in parliament today, calling for Mr Sullivan to resign and the plan to be publicly released.
The LNP has repeatedly questioned him and the Labor Party in recent weeks, making allegations in parliament that he was involved in an alleged domestic incident and went to court last year.
In an emotional speech in parliament, and speaking for the first time as an independent, Mr Sullivan said the alleged incident was not violent, and involved swearing.
"I used a word that we could describe in this place as unparliamentary. I swore, Mr Speaker, and that’s the basis of what these matters are about," he said.
"And those are why my legal team says they have never seen a matter dismissed so quickly."
Mr Sullivan said at the time of the alleged incident, he was suffering from post-traumatic stress sparked by the birth of his second daughter, noting his first daughter had died.
"I spiralled, I recognise that, and I put my hand up for healthcare," he said.
Mr Sullivan said he remained committed to his former party and wouldn't be resigning, labelling the government "disgusting".
"I'm Labor to my core, I don't apologise that I will only vote with the Labor Party," he said.
"I will continue to represent my local branch members who pre-selected me and my local community who elected me.”
'Petty politics'
In parliament, Mr Miles said removing Mr Sullivan from the Labor Party was "not a decision taken lightly".
He reiterated that the Stafford MP had breached a safe return to work plan and that he would not release it due to containing personal and private information.
Mr Miles went on to criticise the government's attacks.
"The fact is that the LNP have been trying for some time to politicise this matter," he said.
"Rather than do their jobs, the LNP want to play stunts and petty politics. It's time they get on with governing and get out of the gutter."
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie accused Mr Miles in parliament of a "complete lack of leadership".
"When the government first raised the issues and the media did, with the member for Stafford, they denied, they again used all sorts of excuses, politicking, scaremongering about the member for Stafford, they protected him," he said.
"Then we saw days and days and days, and the pressure build up, and all of a sudden they thought this would all go away just by getting him out of the Labor caucus.
"The people of Stafford deserve better."
He said questions remained over the alleged incident.
"The reason we take this issue so seriously, we believe, on this side of the House, the member for Stafford does not deserve to serve in this place," Mr Bleijie said.
The government motion passed without a vote, but it did not compel Mr Sullivan to resign or the safe return to work plan to be released.
