Fraser Coast Councillor James Hansen under scrutiny in cop death comments probe
A Queensland councillor has been slammed after comments posted under his name suggested the Wieambilla police shooting was “planned” to spark gun reform. But the former One Nation candidate claims he’s been “hacked”.
Fraser Coast
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A controversial Queensland councillor is facing calls for his suspension and to prove he was not the author of “sickening” conspiracy theory commentary which emerged on social media hours after two slain police officers were farewelled at a state memorial service.
In an extraordinary series of posts made under a profile bearing the name and display image of Fraser Coast Councillor James Hansen, followers are asked “do normal thinking people think the horrible police deaths out west were planned? Just like the Port Arthur (Massacre) Hoax, all designed to disarm us”.
In the thread, several commenters who have the same names as confirmed Facebook friends of Mr Hansen, support that suggestion and a reply under his name also describes the shooting as a “gun grab”.
In another thread, the profile under the name of Mr Hansen, who is on the record as having labelled Covid-19 a “wank” in the past, comments that he “used to like the police, but since all the ones left are vaxxed than (sic) not worth a pince (sic) of salt”.
Asked by this publication whether he denied the comments were made by him and/or were reflective of his views, Mr Hansen claimed he was “hacked”, likely by the “same type of bad people” who recently hacked his credit card.
Community leaders however want an investigation not only because of the seriousness of the comments and the need to investigate the source but also because Mr Hansen’s social media has long featured conspiracy theories and controversial statements.
It’s also understood complaints have been lodged with the Office of the Independent Assessor.
Maryborough MP Bruce Saunders is meanwhile calling on the Deputy Premier and Local Government Minister Steven Miles, to use his power to suspend the councillor pending the outcome of an investigation.
“He should be stood down immediately,” Mr Saunders said
“(The alleged comments) are disgusting, absolutely disgusting.”
Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said he did not “follow” Mr Hansen on Facebook but “if he did make those comments”, they would be “appalling statements about people who serve with honour and sacrifice so much”.
“They do not represent the sentiment of the council nor the community James Hansen is meant to represent.
“The disrespect shown to the lives of those young constables, their families and their colleagues is disgusting.”
Mr Hansen is a licensed firearms holder and uses guns to protect against feral/aggressive animals on his dairy farm at Boompa, about 50 minute’s drive west of Maryborough.
No stranger to controversy, he has been a vocal opponent of mask wearing, vaccines and mandates, posting during the pandemic “personally, I think the whole Covid thing is a wank”.
At the time of the August, 2020 post, one commenter wrote “tell the people who have lost their loved ones that it is a wank. I don’t think they will agree with you” to which the councillor replied: “Yes it’s sad but in compared (sic) to how many die from the flu, it’s a wank, crowd control.”
He has publicly stated online that he believes Donald Trump was the true winner of the 2021 US election and in 2018, survived calls from State Government Minister Leanne Enoch to resign over comments he made about her race.
Mr Hansen argued his comments that Ms Enoch was “apparently supposed to be black” but appeared “white” were “taken the wrong way” and no malice was intended.
In his response about the police comments attributed to him, Mr Hansen said this week “I know I write some thought provoking thins (sic) at times, but no way did I write that”.
“I like everyone else condemns what happened.
“I think I’ve been hacked and have looked at my settings and it says I’m active in numerous spots, I had a friend tell me a few weeks ago I was hacked and let all my FB (Facebook) friends know, I just got onto Meta and they say changes have been made to my account and I need re set my password.
“I have no idea who would want to do this kind of thing but I assume it’s the same type of bad people that just hacked my credit card”.
This publication asked Mr Hansen to clarify whether he was suggesting someone logged into his account and published those comments or that it didn’t come from his account at all and someone with a duplicate profile was making comments.
He was also asked whether he had any proof of complaints he had lodged and any confirmation a “hack” investigation was underway.
At the time of publication, a response had not been received.
The Queensland Police Service was contacted for comment but did not send an official response.
A police source however confirmed local officers at Hervey Bay had been made aware the comments were circulating, were “furious” and wanted an investigation.
Councillor Darren Everard said “I would be very disappointed if these comments were made”.
“Sadly, I have a friend that’s family has been directly impacted by this tragic event and it is very ordinary (if he indeed did),” Mr Everard said
“My thoughts are with the friends and families of those impacted.”
Councillor Phil Truscott said the comments were “very insensitive especially at this time”.
“What happened to those poor police officers is nothing but sickening and in my opinion, the extra responding police took the right action,” he said
“I will not be commenting on any action against Cr Hansen, that’s not my job.”
Asked whether he was considering taking action, Minister Miles replied:
“Concerns regarding a councillor’s conduct should be made to the Office of the Independent Assessor.
“Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold served with honour, and were dedicated to keeping their community safe.
“In the wake of this tragedy, we have seen a tremendous outpouring of support for the Queensland police service. They put their lives on the line every day to protect us.
“People have a right to express their views but some views are so extreme and hurtful they need to be called out.
“I know these comments don’t reflect the views of everyday Queenslanders.”
A Fraser Coast Regional Council spokesperson said “any complaints in relation to a councillor’s conduct must be treated confidentially by Council and/or the Office of the Independent Assessor”.
“As such, we’re unable to comment further.”
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