Flegg denies warning of downfall: court
Former Queensland minister Dr Bruce Flegg denies he was warned of the "disastrous" consequences of not coming clean about undisclosed lobbyist contact with his son.
The Moggill MP is suing his former media adviser Graeme Hallett in the Brisbane Supreme Court, alleging he was defamed in November 2012.
Dr Flegg stood down as housing minister after dismissing Mr Hallett, who had responded by publicly accusing his former boss of lying about the extent of contact he had with his lobbyist son Jonathan Flegg on an official register.
The pair discussed how to handle a "very serious inquiry" from Fairfax journalist Daniel Hurst, who had detected two interactions with Jonathan on Dr Flegg's lobbyist register, in late October 2012.
Mr Hallett's lawyer, Stephen Keim SC, put to Dr Flegg that Mr Hallett warned it would be "entering dangerous territory" to deny there had been more interactions.
Mr Hallett allegedly said "you are leaving yourself open to (Premier Campbell) Newman, (Deputy Premier Jeff) Seeney and (Treasurer Tim) Nicholls to rub you out".
Dr Flegg repeatedly denied under cross-examination that the conversation had taken place.
He also rejected Mr Keim's proposals about a second conversation the following morning, after a media article had appeared about the lobbyist register.
Mr Hallett allegedly warned "deeper investigative digging" would reveal there had been further undisclosed contact.
He told Dr Flegg that he "may or may not survive" the political fallout, the court heard.
Dr Flegg rejected the proposition and denied that during the exchange he said words to the effect of "they'll do me no favours, Newman, Seeney and Nicholls".
The MP of 10 years was recently barred from contesting the 2015 state election by Liberal National Party executives.
He has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to his lobbyist register.
Jonathan Flegg is due to give evidence on Thursday afternoon or Friday.
The trial continues.
