ATTACK ON PREMIER

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28265, 1 May 1957, Page 13

ATTACK ON PREMIER

Queensland Dispute

(Rec. 8 p.m.) BRISBANE, April 30 Queensland’s former DeputyPremier, Mr Jonn Duggan, who resigned from the Cabinet yesterday, said that the Premier (Mr Vincent Galr), who was expelled from the Labour Party last week, had made a behind-the-scenes agreement with the Opposition leader, Mr. John Nicklin. Mr Duggan added: “This agreeI believe, involves, bringing down legislation to destroy the Labour movement.”

Mr Duggan said that for him to remain in the Cabinet would have branded him a renegade in the eyes of all who supported the Labour movement.

Earlier yesterday, at a meeting convened by the inner executive of Queensland’s Labour executive, the official Queensland Parliamentary Labour Party endorsed the expulsion of Mr Gair from the Australian Labour Party. Mr Gair, who has formed his own party since his expulsion last Wednesday, has sufficient numbers in Parliament to carry on the Government.

Announcing his receipt of Mr Duggan's resignation from his Cabinet portfolio of Transport Minister and Deputy-Premier, Mr Gair said: “These people are plotting not only to destroy me politically, but also to wreck the Labour movement in this State beyond repair.”