LIBERAL National Party member for Cleveland, Mark Robinson, has denied media speculation that he will follow in the footsteps of Buderim MP Steve Dickson, who announced his defection from the LNP to One Nation last week.
The speculation arose as a result of a dinner meeting between Mr Robinson, One Nation party leader Pauline Hanson, her advisor James Ashby and Mr Dickson in December. Mr Robinson said his attendance at the meeting was to support Mr Dickson, a friend.
“It was a light and cordial conversation,” he said. “That is our system, a democracy, we can meet with who we like and talk with who we like. While ever the LNP holds onto their family supportive framework, that is traditional marriage and family, I will continue to be loyal.”
While ever the LNP holds onto their family supportive framework ... I will continue to be loyal.
- Cleveland MP Mark Robinson
Mr Dickson, who is reported to have swapped parties on policy differences regarding medicinal marijuana, is Queensland Parliament’s first sitting One Nation MP in eight years.
While Mr Robinson intends to run for re-election under the LNP banner at the next state election, he said he sympathised with Mr Dickson’s motives.
He said political correctness meant Australian politicians, and those overseas, felt restricted in the public stances they could take to best represent their communities, with the need for robust conversations restricted by it.
“It is something that affects all politicians, we are all pressured to be politically correct,” he said. “It doesn’t come from one party structure or members. You should treat people with dignity, but sometimes (with) people in a robust debate, offence is taken.”
One Nation, which is reported to support the Trump presidency and Brexit, has a stated guiding principal of taking “positive action” on the “discrimination created by political correctness”.
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