Questions continue over relationship between former Arts Minister Ros Bates and Kaye Martin Former Arts Minister Ros Bates. THE woman who claims she is not a "close friend" of Ros Bates made a speech at the former minister's 50th birthday party. Kaye Martin has insisted she is not a friend of Ms Bates as questions continue over the pair's relationship amid a troubled week for the State Government. Ms Bates resigned as arts and IT minister last Friday, one day before The Courier-Mail revealed that Mrs Martin had taken up a $1500-a-day consultancy with Screen Queensland, where she was also a board member. Ms Bates had described Mrs Martin as a close friend during her maiden speech to Parliament in 2009 The Courier-Mail has now confirmed Mrs Martin was one of eight people who made congratulatory speeches at the event, after being asked to say a few words by Ms Bates's sister. Mrs Martin quit yesterday as a board member of Screen Queensland hours before State Cabinet resolved to remove her. "It's time for me to exit stage right," Mrs Martin said. Ros Bates says Kaye Martin (pictured) is a close friend, but Mrs Martin disputes it. Mrs Martin said she decided to leave because she no longer wanted to be involved in a political dogfight. "I have no interest whatsoever in party politics, never have," she said. Mrs Martin again said she was not a close personal friend of former Ms Bates who quit last week citing health issues. Mrs Martin was urged to stand down by acting Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek for accepting a consultancy while a board member. She denied any impropriety, saying she was urged to accept the consultancy by board members and by Screen Australia CEO Bryan Lowe. "They first offered me a consulting assignment in November (last year) and I said, 'no', I'd have to think about it," she said. She said Mr Lowe asked her to "come in for a day or so" to assist with a restructure. "He said I could work on an ad hoc basis," she said. He suggested a consultancy fee of $1500 a day. I would normally charge a lot more, but they said (a planned restructure) would be 'done and dusted in a month or so'. Mrs Martin had earlier said she declared her interests at every board meeting. She declined to elaborate yesterday. Mr Lowe declined to comment. Acting chairman Michael Hawkins also declined to comment. A spokeswoman for incoming Arts Minister Ian Walker said he was unable to comment before being sworn in tomorrow.