Dickson to report 'unfounded allegations'
12:00a.m. 19th February 2008
He has been accused by a former colleague of rorting state government funds to boost his son’s election hopes, but MP Steve Dickson claims he is keeping the gloves on, for now.
The member for Kawana said he had been given no choice but to defend himself against corruption allegations made by Maroochy councillor Tom Hulett and posted on thedaily.com.au in recent days.
Mr Hulett is running against Mr Dickson’s son Christian, also a Maroochy councillor, for Division 6 in next month’s local government election.
Having previously denied he was using bullying tactics to undermine Mr Dickson’s election hopes Mr Hulett has since fervently used the Daily’s website to goad his young opponent.
“Christian – come out from behind your father,” he wrote. “Tell his electoral officer paid for by the state government to stop running (and doing most of the work) for your campaign.
“Ask your father to stop running half-page newspaper ads, funded by the state government but featuring you, in areas that are also in my division.”
Steve Dickson declined to “give any more oxygen” to the issue yesterday but said he would report Mr Hulett’s “unfounded allegations” to the Clerk of the Parliament.
He said a staff member who worked part-time in his electorate office had volunteered to help Christian with his campaign in her own time and was not being paid by the state government.
“My integrity is on the line and I have to stand up for myself and also my staff,” he said.
“Tom is entitled to his opinion but when stories like this get written it doesn’t take long for my opponents in parliament to start throwing stones.”
Mr Dickson said he had not called Mr Hulett to discuss the allegations.
Mr Hulett’s tirade was prompted by reports that he had bullied Christian Dickson in a bid to dissuade him from standing in the election.
Recent Comments
By the way, your staff member mentioned to me that she had 'taken leave' not that she was doing this in her free time - better get your stories straight!
I see this as a further attempt by Steve and others to give Christian free media exposure. From extensive calls I receive from within my Division, it clearly is not helping Christian.
Politics is not a 'kiddies game' where you can 'take your barbie doll and go home' when the going is less than perfectly scripted.
I am surprised by Steve's squeamish response. He certainly did not spare Chris Cummins family any discomfort in the last State election!
Steve, you know I have been gentlemanly and helpful to Christian before and after his entry to Council.
He and I have never been caught up in unpleasant argument. You know that I have always enjoyed excellent relationships with your whole family.
Indeed, until the false allegations broke, you and I had maintained a reasonable friendship. I was disappointed at the tactics used.
By the way, from what I hear from both sides of the house, the criticism you regularly receive in Parliament is due more to your errors of judgement in Brisbane than any petrol I might throw on your political pyre!
Steve, your side have been caught out using a 'cheap political trick' gone wrong. Get over it and move on! Let's not upset our familes any further.
It is time to put personal differences aside and act like the elected people you are who were put there by the people for the sole purpose of running the country/state/shire.
The carry on about personal issues must be put aside. This bickering between yourselves is not what you are paid to do . So how about just getting on with it.
- We will have them as soon as they are released to us this afternoon. Nominations close at noon - it's going to be a busy day! - Editor
Or is this the way politics work down there - say anything so long as your name gets in the paper (or online - Editor)! Any wonder Noosa Shire doesn't want to be assosciated with these people!
I would be very very surprised if Steve is not helping Christian, just like he did when he got him elected in the by-election.
This election will shape our region for years to come and we need people with regional vision not tunnel vision.
This vision comes from experience over many years and currently only one candidate has that experience however I hope others put their hand up.
For the record I have decided not to nominate due to other business commitments.
Christian has shown maturity beyond his years in treating his self-professed council mentor in a manner above that which he deserves.
For a man who had given so much assistance and been so supportive in the past, why now the about face - perhaps feeling threatened?
If anything Christian's age should serve him well - he has had the fortitude to stand for office which would be a fair indicator he is passionate & has a vision for the area in which he lives.
He could provide many years of fruitful service to the area we all love so much, given the opportunity.
His taunter on the other hand boasts years of experience in local government - from what I understand there have been 2 terms in office. This is your wealth of experience?
'
I am happy to stand corrected on that point. Mr Hulett is looking like a cornered animal lashing out at those around, much like a wounded dog will bite anyone who comes near... or a dog with a bone for that matter...
Steve has shown great restraint as a target & parent with unfounded allegations about public funding.
There is a big difference between political banter & defamation & the allegations should be dealt with seriously either by action brought against Mr Dickson or Mr Hulett - whichever is shown to be in the wrong.
Nothing wrong with a bit of accountability! What father would not want to support his son in pursuing their dreams?
Providing Steve is making informed decisions about what his son is doing (duh!), who cares if he is helping Christian financially?
Is that not a supportive parent's perogative? If you have a go & fail is that not better than being passionate & doing nothing for fear of failing?
Did Steve Dickson use state funds? Well, he says no, his staffer says no and he has offered to have the matter examined by the Clerk of the Parliament - I don't see what more Steve can do at this stage to answer the allegation.
As for the staffer Tom desperately says "better get your stories straight" about: the issue is whether or not that staffer is being paid (from state coffers) for the time they put into Christian's campaign. Steve says it is being done "in their own time" and they say they are "on leave" - these terms are not mutually exclusive, Tom! If someone is on leave, they are on their own time! Sounds pretty straight as it has been said - the validity of that could also be checked by the Clerk of the Parliament too (if Tom is so desperate as to ask for the staffer's roster and details of how they spend their own, personal time).
Tom dribbles on about 'kiddies game' and so on with the arrogance and beligerance that we have come to expect from him and his type. He also refers to his 'research' - is that as believeable as his dodgy claim about only 2 of 60 Mooloolaba accomodation houses disagreeing with his views? The Daily's blogs included many comments from managers of hotels and resorts who were not included in Tom's 'research' and strongly disagreed with him. Anyone who believes Tom's 'research' has any merit should start questioning themselves ... and Tom.
I also think jboast might need to re-consider their thinking about Tom being better suited to guide the Coast into the future due to his age and experience. Yes, he certainly has much more experience (but is that experience the type of grounding we want in the new council - back room deals, conversations 'which didn't take place', perception of bullying/intimidation, backstabbing?) however with experience comes trained responses and habits. He has been taught through his life experiences to think and respond in a certain way (we all learn these things to varying degrees) - what people need to remember is that with his 'experience' will also come his attitude, responses, 'research and debating skills'.
The "regional vision" you speak of can be obtained a number of ways - most beneficially through consultation (not pig-headed arrogance, backed up by 'research' and superior debating skills).
I was unsure if you bagging Tom when you referred to "tunnel vision" as I recall his efforts relating to the Maroochydore Adult Entertainment Precinct fiasco. And to be fair, I don't know if Christian is similarly tunnel-visioned on any issues - he may be so I'm not excluding that from being possible, but Tom is not possible, he IS tunnel-visioned on that issue.
So when you compare the two, beyond experience vs enthusiasm, I think there is a choice between Christian and whatever you know of him and Tom, who has repeatedly shown himself to have strong, clear, inflexible ideas about what he wants (not necessarily what the community needs) - wouldn't an approachable, in-touch, consultative, lateral thinking representative be more suitable for the changing environment we live in today? Let's hope that is what you know of Christian, for the sake of Div 6.
It is your allegation, so the onus is on you to put up.
Sorry if I confused anyone.
John Boast, Buderim
I'm sure you'll read all about it after midday.
Jeff Watson.
Candidate for Division 8
"it's where I love to live!"
Well may some of our bloggers say that a Councillor's lot is not a happy one...happy one.
It should be noted that a State Government staffer has access to certain information and contacts denied to a normal member of the public. This information and access to information doesn't disappear when they clock off. An ex-staffer would be morally acceptable, but a current serving staffer, on leave or not shouldn't be acceptable. It may not technically be against the rules, morally however it has the appearance of someone flouting the rules on how tax payer resources can be used. The old adage, justice should be seen to be done.
Lots and lots and lots of money...
Christian Dickson is how old?
Been through one campaign already?
To say he's done it all on his lonesome is a crock of you know what...
If its not his dad funding his little adventures, then I would hate to imagine who is/already did then...
Christian must of won the lottery or something...
Or are councillors wages really THAT good nowadays?
and to "Bob_Bates":
can you not read or are you just plain stupid?
posted by "tomhulett" at the very top of the page !!
"By the way, your staff member mentioned to me that she had 'taken leave' not that she was doing this in her free time"
When one takes leave... they still get paid.
When a state politicians electorate officer takes leave... the state politician still pays them :-)
Make sense champ?
Add to this I'm almost certain that there WILL be a third candidate added to the mix. Certainly by no means will she cry to the local paper if someone tells her "not to waste your money"...
Shes got thick skin, something Christian needs to grow...
But really... this is all petty, petty nonsense...
Bottom line to me is:
A 20 year old as a councillor, servicing a region as big as it is? You must be joking...
This lightweight still has alot (and boy do i mean ALOT) to learn before he steps in to ring with the political heavyweights of the world...
And before you all hit me back with the 'David and Goliath' rubbish... remember: that WAS just a fairytale...
If this person aiding Master Dickson is on approved leave, and if her employment conditions allow her to do what she likes while on leave, then I as a taxpayer, could not care less if she chooses to assist any candidate.....even Master Dickson.
aid Tom and get him more votes in the upcoming election.
I have spoken with Christian and I still believe he is a young man with maturity beyond his years and acts with integrity, even towards Tom Hulett. Best wishes for your campaign
Christian.
Of course they will be being paid while on leave - there seems to be a pattern forming about that, and I don't think its just in government ranks either (something to do with workers' entitlements or something ?).
They are also paid on their days off too - does that mean you (as a taxpayer, I presume) feel heated that the staffer sees their friends (on those 'dyas off') when being paid from the state coffers ? Do you consider them to be state property 100% of the time as they are drawing a wage from the state purse ?
By your (il)logic and (lack of)reasoning, if someone draws a wage from the state then they are, for the duration of their employment, contracted solely to the state and anything they do in that entire time MUST relate exclusively to their duties of office ?
As for who may or may not have funded Christian first campaign, I think the "supportive father" concept was adequately addressed earlier, Champ.
How will he go when the Council is double the size he is currently struggling with? Simple answer is he won't.
On the other hand Tom Hulett is never going to be anything better than he currently is so the less we see of him the better.
I truly hope one of the two female candidates that have nominated for Div 6 prove to be the winner so the Council and ratepayers will also win.
As to the 4 candidates, I cannot in all honesty vote for a 20 year old with only very limited experience not only in council but also in life. He is going to be out of his depth in this super council as will most other candidates in all divisions.
This is going to be a very tough decision.
If age is your only reason for voting against Christian Dickson then the Ipswich example should tell you to reconsider.
As for the others : Tom - discussed;
Others - I don't know them, nor anything about them. The only word of caution I would put forward relates to a comment by CoastLover : Don't vote for them just because they are female. If they are worthy then yes, if they are better than the competition then yes, but not just because of their gender.
In relation to another comment above, an employee is an employee all the time they are at their place of employment doing their substantive duties - any expectation beyond that is arrogance.
That's not borne from ignorance, its reality as seen from the other side (ie not being the self-absorbed pollie who thinks they 'own' their staff). Many people have confidence and confide in certain people - I have heard a lot from government staffers and they are not possessions of their ministers, nor are their services and/or loyalties in their own time !
And I would not vote for Master Dickson, even if Hulett were the only alternative.
Lucretia is where I'd look. Does she live in Division Six?
Eve Landers......I have a memory problem with. Does she live in Division 6?
Ex-wife of Bruce Dunne whom The Daily tried to crucify a few years ago.....probably as a consequence of some inside oil coming from someone very close to Bruce, and probably associated with Hulett.
Eve, did you ever have any connection with Nambour's Ford dealer? Work there, or something?
This is a work in progress, but I'll nail it soon enough.
The Sunny Coast needs brave & tough leadership. Not petty backbiting.
The reality is there ain’t much to choose from!
I would like to know, what do our candidates offer that is different to their peers, their competitive advantage?
More power to Christian Dickson, for taking on a tough fight, his first real campaign. For a young fella he has some drive, which with experience of a full term will see him achieve some remarkable things& obviously his competitors have something to fear.
As far as what Steve's staffer is doing on her holidays... who gives a rats, she/he can go to ibiza and take up pole dancing... ITS HER HOLIDAYS... SHE CANT DO WHATEVER THE HELL SHE WANTS.
As for Christian being out of his depth... whatever... everyone is putting so much 'hope' on this new 'super council' it's only super by media labelling, its not being run by superheroes... its going to be as irrelevant as existing local government.
PLEASE people (read tom), get over your delusions of grandeur and realise that people just dont like you and want you to be elsewhere now... far far away in another council where your boringness and bullying can bother other people.
Jas73 I for one would not like to see a George Bush Jnr in our local council because of name or money. Let Christian hang in for a couple of years and show his mettle. As much as I disagree with 'bully boy" he is 70% effective and 100% passionate about Maroochy and now Sunshine Coast being managed correctly. John Boast great input. I can see you not Tom fan but are a patriot of our great city...to be!!
My_2_cents great comments flawed logic. There will be enormous pressure on the new super council particularly on 12 Councillors. There will be a handful who will handle the pressure. Pity Steve Dickson moved on and I am sure Christian will make a great Councillor one day.....but not yet, this is not work experience. It will be full on from day one.
Open your eyes. Hopefully all voters will do the same in other areas. Good luck to Rogo he is the heart that beats Tony Northey the quiet achiever.
Politics is opinion and appearance. If say the PM had put his son in the election will his full backing and staff, would you have the same opinion? What about a developer backing a son as a candidate, would that be ok? No I bet every blogger would come down on them like a ton of bricks.
Sometimes discretion is the better part of valour.
About the only thing Tony Northey has quietly achieved as Co-chair of Maroochy Town Planning is several thousand dollars worth of gifts from a certain developer previous to his vote of approval for the most opposed development application in Maroochy history.. (see MSC gift register online)
Northey is the antithesis of good representation.
Interesting to compare Northey's CV with Blumel and Watson...a very distant third to say the least
The pressure on the new council will be to act professionally and responsibly when the the big developers cook up gradious schemes outside the plan. Which ones are going to listen to consistant professional advice and which ones are going to lurch from one decision for a mate to another. What is the track record of Northy, Hulett and Rodgo.....
And the community work he has done in the past couple of decades is quite impressive (i highly, highly doubt you've even bothered to look it up. have you?)
Yes, the other two are also impressive, i'm not just supporting him, just speaking against.. well.. un-researched babble speak.
You not being able to recognize the immense amount of good things he has done during (and before) his time in council only prove that he has made no large deal about it.
As for the Dickson/Hullet affair, but the looks of it they're either both guilty or both innocent. it doesnt seem like they're innocent.
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