Les Walker has been let off with a tongue lashing from the Premier
‘Embarrassed’ Mundingburra MP Les Walker will not be punished further by Annastacia Palaszczuk who gave him a talking to over his public nuisance fumble.
QLD News
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THE only punishment that Annastacia Palaszczuk will dish out to a Government MP who was fined after being knocked unconscious in nightclub fight is a talking to over the phone.
The Premier today insisted she was “not happy” after Mundingburra MP Les Walker was given a public nuisance fine following an altercation at the Mad Cow tavern in Townsville at 1am on Saturday.
She said she expected a high standard and that she would be reminding all of her MPs of their responsibilities.
But Ms Palaszczuk would not say how else she would discipline Mr Walker beyond a phone call she had with him.
“I don’t think you want to get a phone call from the Premier when she’s not in a good mood,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“I don’t think it’s acceptable behaviour from anyone, let alone an MP who serves their community.
“He’s very apologetic. He’s embarrassed.
“He’s embarrassed for his community as well and he has apologised.”
Asked if Mr Walker should be stripped of his position on the parliamentary transport and resources committee, where he earns an extra $24,000 a year, Ms Palaszczuk pointed out that he was a first term MP.
“He knows he shouldn’t have been there and he has said to me it will not happen again,” she said.
The Premier said it would be inappropriate for her to see the police report of the incident or CCTV from the tavern.
Mr Walker was yesterday given an $800 fine for public nuisance and banned for 10 days between 9pm and 5am from the Townsville Safe Night Precinct.
He has since apologised, promised to never put himself in that position again and says he can’t remember what happened.
“Honestly, I can’t (explain what happened) due to the sustained head injury,” Mr Walker said yesterday.
“I can’t recall what happened.”
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