Toowoomba North MP Trevor Watts resigns from shadow ministry after COVID-19 breach
Sensational new pictures from cops’ body-worn cameras show a large gathering featuring tables and chairs on the street of a Queensland LNP MP who admitted he had a “quick catch-up” with neighbours in a “momentary lapse in judgment”.
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SENSATIONAL new pictures from cops’ body-worn cameras show a large gathering featuring tables and chairs on the street of a Queensland LNP MP who admitted he had a “quick catch-up” with neighbours in a “momentary lapse in judgment”.
Trevor Watts fronted media, admitting he was in front of his mail box “on the street” as police footage released this afternoon of the Toowoomba East gathering clearly shows a large number of people sitting and standing around a table on his street.
Asked whether he classified the gathering as a street party, which police will allege, the MP said, “My immediate neighbours and I had a drink on the edge of our property boundaries and I grabbed a chair and set it up in front of my mailbox and that was a mistake.”
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Mr Watts said police attended on Sunday afternoon, where they informed those at the gathering they “may be” in breach of COVID-19 restrictions, and police subsequently released still images from an officer’s body worn camera to The Courier-Mail.
He said nobody organised the gathering, referring to it as a “quick catch-up” after working in the garden.
“We just all agreed to catchup,” he said.
Mr Watts said 15 people seemed “a little high to me” and that the gathering lasted between one to two hours.
“I had a momentary lapse of judgment on the weekend,” he said.’
“I’ve taken full responsibility for that momentary lapse.”
The Courier-Mail understands there was a fire pit on the outside steps to Mr Watts house while one or two tables with some food were on the street.
The MP said he attended the police station yesterday after being contacted.
After he was fined, he immediately contacted Leader Deb Frecklington.
He said one of his neighbours may have had an extra guest or two.
“I made a mistake, I have to own that mistake and take responsibility for that mistake,” he said.
“My behaviour has fallen short of the community’s expectations of a shadow minister and that is why I immediately resigned.”
Ms Frecklington said Mr Watts was “rightfully” fined.
Asked whether she was concerned it could tarnish the LNP, she said Mr Watts’ actions “have shown he’s a man of integrity and accountability” and that she holds high standards.
OVERNIGHT: Police have alleged that an incident that left LNP MP Trevor Watts and two police officers accused of breaching COVID-19 restrictions was a street party.
Mr Watts, the member for Toowoomba North, resigned from his party’s shadow ministry last night after breaching COVID-19 restrictions by attending driveway drinks with his neighbours, including two police officers.
Mr Watts, who was not behind his letterbox, apologised and said he didn’t think he was breaching the rules.
However Police Commissioner Katarina Carrol this morning said police would allege it was a “street party” at the end of a cul-de-sac.
“Police will allege the outdoor gathering was in fact a street party,” she said.
“People at the end of a cul-de-sac are sitting together ... up to 15 people.”
“I anticipate as a result of that that further infringement notices will be issued.”
The Member for Toowoomba North told Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington yesterday he had copped a fine “relating to a gathering” on Sunday.
The police officers were also fined $1334 for breaching restrictions.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the incident was disappointing, and reminded all MPs to be across the chief health officer’s directions.
She said she wasn’t aware of any Labor MPs breaching restrictions.
Ms Frecklington last night said she accepted Mr Watts’s resignation as the LNP’s spokesman on police, counterterrorism and corrective services.
It is understood the fine was only issued yesterday, prompting his resignation.
“I expect the highest standards from my team, especially my shadow ministers,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Trevor is more determined than ever to represent his local community as the LNP’s Member for Toowoomba North.”
Ms Frecklington thanked Mr Watts for his honesty in the situation.
Just nine days ago, Mr Watts was urging people to abide by social distancing measures on his official Facebook account.
While applauding the low incidence of coronavirus cases in his region, he said residents shouldn’t “become complacent or ignore social distancing rules”.
“We need to remain vigilant and stay at home wherever possible to protect each other,” he wrote in the post on April 19.
“I know it’s tough to keep away from your friends and family and give up the things you love for a while.
“Just remember – doing the right thing now will make a big difference down the track.”
Ms Frecklington has appointed Member for Ninderry Dan Purdie to fill the shadow ministry position.
Mr Purdie has previously served as the party’s assistant minister treasury spokesman.
“I have also appointed Marty Hunt, the Member for Nicklin, to the role of Shadow Assistant Minister Treasury,” Ms Frecklington said.
Mr Watts could not be reached for comment last night, but in a statement to 7 News said he accepted full responsibility for his actions.
“At the time, I did not consider my actions were in breach of the rules,” he said.
“However, upon reflection, I realise that while catching up with neighbours in our respective driveways ... I inadvertently breached COVID-19 restrictions.
“My actions demonstrated a momentary lack of judgment and I regret them deeply.”
Meanwhile, a statement last night from Queensland police said the sergeant and senior constable fined were among a number of people who failed to comply with the social-distancing rules by attending an outdoor gathering in an East Toowoomba street on Sunday afternoon.
A third person has also been issued with an infringment notice.
Investigations are continuing to identify another 12 people believed to have attended the gathering.
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