Front page article, The Courier-Mail, 31st August 1998, by Peter Morley
Labor MP Bill D'Arcy has refused Premier Peter Beattie's advice that he resign over child sex allegations that threaten the stability of Queensland's minority government.
Mr Beattie, who did not publicly identify Mr D'Arcy told him during a 45-minute meeting yesterday that he should quit Parliament in the interests of himself, his family and the Government.
But D'Arcy - who has not been interviewed by police investigating allegations he abused young girls as a school teacher - refused and strenuously denied the claims.
Later, Mr D'Arcy's solicitor Terry O'Gorman said his client rejected the allegations out of hand and was being urged by his family to "stand and fight" and "not to resign".
Mr D'Arcy, who represents the near Brisbane seat of Woodridge, could not be contacted at his Raby Bay home.
Mr O'Gorman last night criticised Mr Beattie and Nicklin Independent Peter Wellington - whose support keeps Labor in power - over their behaviour since The Courier-Mail reported on Saturday that police expected to charge an MP with serious sexual offences.
Mr Wellington said the MP had a moral obligation to resign if charges were laid against him.
Mr O'Gorman said he was "significantly disappointed that the Premier would ask my client to resign when he (Mr Beattie) should be out there defending the presumption of innocence".
He said he would lodge a complaint with the Criminal Justice Commission today about the leaked investigation details.
Police Commissioner Jim O'Sullivan said last night that he had instructed the officer in charge of the investigation to maximise resources so there could be a quick conclusion.
"About a fortnight I hope and then it (investigation) will be done," Mr O'Sullivan said.
The timing would coincide with the resumption of Parliament, when Mr Wellington intends to move a Bill to freeze the MPs superannuation.
Mr Wellington said he was appalled by the allegations that as a school headmaster the MP sexually abused a girl aged 11.
"In these circumstances, if charges are laid this person has a moral responsibility to resign from Parliament so there is a by-election so that the Government can get on with the job," Mr Wellington said
If the MP were found not guilty, he would be entitled to his superannuation and could recontest the seat at the next election, Mr Wellington said.
Mr Beattie and Employment Minister Paul Braddy met Mr D'Arcy and Mr O'Gorman at parliament House.
Later, Mr Beattie referred to "one of the most difficult meetings of my life" and one that was "not easy" for the MP.
Mr Beattie said that if charges were laid, it would be "normal" for an MP to stand down from their official job in Parliament.
"But whether he remains in Parliament, that is a matter for the individual," Mr Beattie said.
"No Premier can force a Member from Parliament."
Mr Beattie denied suggestions that Labor State secretary Mike Kaiser was being considered as a by-election candidate in Woodridge where Mr D'Arcy has a 13.5% margin.
Mr O'Gorman said Mr Wellington's plan to strip his client of superannuation was dangerous and extreme.
"To propose that a politician should lose his superannuation entitlements based on legislation taking retrospective effect in 1998 and reaching back to supposed events in 1969 in respect of allegations said to relate to a backbencher even before he entered Parliament shows the hysteria surrounding accusations of sexual offences of minors in Queensland," Mr O'Gorman said.
Mr O'Gorman said he would contact Mr O'Sullivan in a bid to "bring the matter to a head".
Mr O'Gorman said the publicity underscored his view that it should be a criminal offence to publish the fact that someone was under investigation until a charge was laid.
Mr D'Arcy, 59, was elected to Parliament in 1972 when he represented Albert. He was defeated in 1974 but returned in 1977 by which time the seat had been renamed Woodridge.