Integrity questions as ministerial ‘love’ line unfolds
Two state ministers are standing by their relationship as scrutiny intensifies over integrity advice, Olympic deals and a London getaway.
Queensland’s “love story” scandal has exploded into a full‑blown integrity brawl, with two cabinet ministers insisting they have done nothing wrong as questions rage over their affair, conflict rules and the Olympics.
Liberal Nationals Child Safety Minister Amanda Camm is in an on‑again, off-again romance with fellow LNP frontbencher Tim Mander, and both are under siege over how the relationship has been handled at the top of government.
Mander, who holds the Olympics portfolio, was grilled by media for more than 20 minutes on Thursday, repeatedly swearing he had ticked every integrity box and followed the ministerial code of conduct, the Integrity Commissioner’s advice and a formal conflict‑of‑interest plan.
“Have I done anything wrong? I’ve done some things wrong by my family, which I regret … but as a minister, I’ve done everything according to the code,” he said.
The pair’s tangled timeline sits at the heart of the storm.
The two say they started a relationship in opposition, broke up in May 2024, then got back together weeks later – and insist Premier David Crisafulli was told each time: when they first coupled up, when it collapsed and when they rekindled.
That messy chronology has piled pressure on the premier, as Labor demands to know exactly what he knew and when, and whether voters were kept in the dark before the October election.
Camm faced cameras before a domestic violence candlelight vigil, insisting the romance is now covered by an official conflict‑of‑interest plan and that she has ensured the relationship was conducted by the book.
The ministers refused to provide details of their integrity advice, calling it confidential, but Camm was willing to show journalists the conflict‑management plan held by her chief of staff.
Mander claims the level of transparency was unheard of and accused Labor of “rewriting history” over its own past ministerial romances and cosy relationships with senior officials.
He also slapped down claims of a conflict over Olympic projects, including sailing events in the Whitsundays, saying he had no say in picking venues or signing off funding.
Stay informed, daily
Those decisions were locked in as election promises by the then deputy premier and treasurer and later rubber‑stamped by cabinet, they said.
Questions about a London trip in November 2023 were also brushed aside as a private holiday, the two saying no taxpayer money was used.
Both ministers admit the saga has been brutal on their families, but asked for privacy as they dig in.
The two say they are focused on child safety, domestic violence victims and delivering Olympic promises, not defending their love life.
Want to see more stories from InDaily Qld in your Google search results?
- Click here to set InDaily Qld as a preferred source.
- Tick the box next to "InDaily Qld". That's it.
