Campbell Newman criticises media ‘blow torch’ inflicted upon David Crisafulli

Newman says Crisafulli ‘has been treated worse than Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’

Former Queensland premier Campbell Newman has criticised the media for its treatment of Opposition Leader David Crisafulli, saying he has been subjected to a “blow torch” that is “unprecedented” in Queensland politics.

Newman’s comments come after a week in which Crisafulli has been under intense scrutiny over his handling of a sexual harassment complaint against a former staffer and his decision to sack his chief of staff.

Newman said the media’s focus on Crisafulli’s personal life has been “relentless” and “unfair”, and that it has been “a deliberate attempt to destroy his character”.

Newman: ‘Crisafulli has been treated worse than Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’

Newman said the media’s treatment of Crisafulli has been worse than that of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who has been embroiled in a number of scandals during her time in office.

“The media has given Palaszczuk a free pass on so many things, but they’ve gone after Crisafulli with a blow torch,” Newman said.

“It’s a double standard that is simply not fair.”

Newman: ‘The media needs to be held to account’

Newman said the media needs to be held to account for its treatment of Crisafulli.

“The media has a responsibility to report the news fairly and accurately, but they’ve failed to do that in this case,” Newman said.

“They’ve allowed themselves to be used as a political weapon against Crisafulli, and that’s not acceptable.”

Conclusion

Newman’s comments are a reminder of the important role that the media plays in a democracy.

The media has a responsibility to hold politicians to account, but it must do so fairly and accurately.

When the media fails to do that, it undermines its own credibility and the trust of the public.