Ex-Labor candidate Michael Denton was in a relationship with former Queensland Attorney-General Yvette D’ath while allegedly stalking one of her staff members
A former federal Labor candidate has been accused of stalking the staffer of a minister of state with whom he was in a relationship.
Michael Denton, who stood as a Labor candidate in the north Brisbane seat of Petrie at the last federal election, has been accused of stalking an aide to Queensland Attorney General Yvette D’ath while in a relationship had with the controversial minister.
Nine news outlets reported that Ms. D’ath was not aware of the charges against Mr. Denton when they contacted her about it.
Michael Denton poses with Queensland Attorney-General Yvette D’ath while the two were dating earlier this year
It is clear that she ended her relationship with him immediately.
Ms D’ath, who has announced she will leave politics at the next state election, declined to comment.
She said that since the matter is in court, it would be inappropriate for her to say anything.
Ms D’ath was Queensland’s Health Minister during the controversial Covid period, overseeing vaccine mandates and state lockdowns.
Nine reported that the “context of that relationship” will be part of the police case, according to sources.
Mr Dention, a divorced father of three, faced the Pine Rivers Magistrates Court on February 16, where he was granted bail for stalking with intent to harass, intimidate or abuse.
Queensland Labor has confirmed Denton resigned from the party this year.
Petrie is the same federal seat that Ms D’ath held between 2007 and 2013, when she lost it to incumbent Liberal MP Luke Howarth.
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese campaigned alongside Mr Denton when his candidacy was announced in July 2021.
In a social media post at the time, Mr Albanese said Mr Denton was “a resident of Redcliffe, a worker at the local oil refinery and someone who knows the value of Australian manufacturing”.
In announcing his candidacy, Labor said Mr Denton, a former Australian Workers Union delegate, became a father “at a young age”.
Mr Denton, pictured running for the federal seat of Petrie, campaigning with then opposition leader Anthony Albanese
The campaign materials show that Mr. Denton understood what it was like “to struggle to put food on the table and make the choice between buying food and paying bills.”
Mr Denton has yet to enter a plea and will appear in court again on March 11.