Nicholls backs Bates amid lobbying claims QUEENSLAND Treasurer Tim Nicholls has defended Arts Minister Ros Bates over alleged inaccuracies in her lobbyist register, saying she will "absolutely" remain on cabinet. The state opposition wants Ms Bates to be sacked before Monday's cabinet meeting because she failed to officially register a lunch with a lobbyist firm. Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk says the actions of Ms Bates shouldn't be tolerated by the premier. But Mr Nicholls hit back against what he called "scurrilous allegations" against Ms Bates. He said she was invited to the lunch as a guest speaker and many of the firm's competitors had attended. "There was no lobbying activity going on," Mr Nicholls told reporters. The treasurer pointed to Ms Palaszczuk's "double standards" on accountability as the real issue. "Until she complies with her own standards this does nothing to advance the cause of accountability," Mr Nicholls said. Ms Bates has also faced nepotism allegations after her son Ben Gommers was appointed to a plum government job in the transport department. When asked if Ms Bates would continue to serve on cabinet after Monday's meeting, Mr Nicholls said "absolutely."