Leavers doubles down, slams minister’s ‘vile’ criticism

The powerful union boss, who declared First Nations people were over represented in crime stats, insists he was sharing the views others were “too frightened” to share.

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers has responded to “vile” criticism directed at him from a senior minister after he said truth telling and treaty would give Indigenous people a free pass to commit crime.

The powerful union boss, who declared First Nations people were over represented in crime statistics, insisted he was sharing the views others were “too frightened” to share.

Those comments were slammed as “divisive and unhelpful” by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Government ministers on Wednesday lined up to distance themselves from the union boss’s claim that its Path to Treaty was a feel-good exercise that was anti-police.

Ms Palaszczuk said Mr Leavers’ comments about Indigenous people, published by The Courier-Mail, were wrong.

“Let me say I disagree with the comments the QPU president has said,” she said.

Mr Leavers doubled down on his comments on Wednesday, declaring he was saying the things “people want to”.

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers

“There’s been Cabinet ministers have a go at me but that’s part of life, that’s water off a duck’s back to me, I’m used to that,” he said.

“A lot of people want to say things, but they are too frightened to because you’ve seen the vile and the personal attacks come my way today.

“The people I represent are on the front line.

“Not like the latte sippers in inner Brisbane who’ve never been to communities and see the violence and the mayhem and the destruction of lives that takes place.”

Transport Minister Mark Bailey took aim at Mr Leavers, declaring his “ignorant and factually wrong diatribe is an embarrassment to the Queensland Police Union”.

“He should be working on rectifying the identified racism, misogyny and sexism in the force to make it an inclusive and lawful workplace,” Mr Bailey said.

Mr Leavers slammed the minister’s “vile” response.

“I don’t take anything Mark Bailey says takes seriously at all,” the union boss said.

Mr Bailey’s input on the issue, particularly his comment about fixing problems within the Queensland Police Service, forced Ms Palaszczuk to declare the “minister is not anti-police”.

Police Minister Mark Ryan said Mr Leavers had a right to express his views.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey

“I don’t agree with his comments today, and I’ve communicated that to the QPU,” he said.

Greens MP Michael Berkman offered a brief rebuke of the Queensland Police Union boss’s comments.

“Leavers’ unhinged rant doesn’t deserve to be published,” he said.

“He should resign.”

Change the Record national director Maggie Munn said Mr Leavers was playing with people’s lives.

“As a proud Gunggari person, I appeal to every Queenslander to see Ian Leavers’ comments for what they really are: a despicable power grab which divides and terrorises our communities,” she said.

“It’s clear to me that Ian is playing politics with people’s lives, our children’s lives – it’s a sad day when the pursuit of justice can become so politicised.”

Queensland Human Rights Commissioner Scott McDougall said Mr Leavers comments would divert energy from work to close the gap.

“In the aftermath of a referendum debate which exposed Queensland’s First Nations communities to harmful levels of racist discourse, it is reprehensible to create further harm with such divisive and inflammatory language,” he said.