Mundingburra MP Les Walker avoids ban from Townsville Safe Night Precinct
Mundingburra MP Les Walker has avoided a ban from Townsville’s popular party district, despite two other men involved being locked out.
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Mundingburra MP Les Walker has avoided a ban from Townsville’s popular party district, despite two other men involved being locked out.
A 19-year-old man and a 21-year-old man have all been banned from the city’s Safe Night Precinct in Townsville CBD after brawling early Saturday morning.
Mr Walker has not been banned.
The 56-year-old former deputy mayor, who was celebrating his birthday, was knocked unconscious in the fight at the Mad Cow Tavern about 1am.
Mr Walker was taken to hospital by paramedics and released a few hours later without any serious injury.
The Townsville Bulletin understands Mr Walker and his lawyer attended a police station on Monday.
The Bulletin was incorrectly informed by Queensland Police Service that Mr Walker had also received a ban.
The information has since been clarified.
It prompted an apology from Queensland Police, saying in a statement that “we apologise for this error and respectfully request media outlets update their stories accordingly”.
“Police Media earlier provided information to a media outlet indicating three banning notices were issued as a result, however, this is incorrect and only two notices were issued.
“The 56-year-old man assaulted during the incident was not issued with a banning notice as reported.”
Mr Walker has avoided a ban from the night-life district, which forbids him from stepping foot in some of the most popular restaurant and bar areas, including Palmer St, Flinders St, The Strand, Wickham St, and at Sir Leslie Thiess Dr.
It includes hotspot haunts such as The Watermark, The Australian, The Brewery, Seaview Hotel, Molly Malones, Tiny Mountain Brewery and The Ville Resort Casino.
Mr Walker was contacted again on Tuesday, but his office stuck with his original statement that it was “inappropriate to comment” on an open police investigation.
Charges are yet to be laid.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was questioned about Mr Walker’s health at a press conference on Monday.
“I have spoken to Les Walker, he is recovering well, but there is a police investigation that is ongoing so I won’t be making any further comments,” she said.
Originally published as Mundingburra MP Les Walker avoids ban from Townsville Safe Night Precinct
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