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Peter Dowling’s wife says he is ‘not perfect’

The wife of dumped LNP Redlands MP Peter Dowling, who gained international media attention for sending pornographic text messages to his mistress, has publicly backed her husband, saying he is not “perfect”.

He was dumped on Saturday at an LNP preselection vote by local branch members and would not be the LNP’s candidate in the seat of Redlands at the next Queensland election, due early in 2015.

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Mr Dowling has been in State Parliament since 2009, but last year was exposed for having an affair and sending explicit texts to his mistress.

The story made international headlines and even featured on a US TV comedy program.

Mr Dowling was also stood down as chairman of Parliament’s Ethics Committee, but continued his political career.

His wife Helen has stood by him during the controversy.

“There’d be very few people here who could say that they’re perfect – he may not be perfect but he’s effective,” she said after the preselection vote yesterday.

She said “yes” when asked yesterday if she still loved Mr Dowling.

Mr Dowling said he would not run as an independent and would remain part of the LNP until the election.

“Independents are a waste of space,” he said.

“I have still been doing my job and I am the state member for Redlands and I will continue to be a part of the Campbell Newman LNP team delivering for Queensland.

“We have got an awful lot of mess to clean up thanks to 20 years of Labor.”

Mr Dowling was also asked whether he regretted his actions.

“I am an effective member for Redlands and I have the support of the LNP team,” he said.

LNP president Bruce McIver said after the meeting that the local membership have had their say.

“Members voted to move on and to look for an alternative candidate for the next state election,” he said.

The LNP reopened nominations for the seat.

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