‘Their call’: Premier calls on LGAQ to explain alleged DV offender’s role in major announcement
Premier David Crisafulli has pointed the finger at Queensland’s peak local government body for selecting a Cape York mayor facing domestic violence charges to participate in a key announcement earlier this week.
Premier David Crisafulli has pointed the finger at Queensland’s peak local government body for selecting a Cape York mayor facing domestic violence charges to participate in a key announcement last week.
But the Local Government Association of Queensland has stood by the embattled community leader.
Lockhart River mayor Wayne Butcher attended a press conference at the LGAQ’s annual conference on the Gold Coast on Monday following the establishment of a direct line to cabinet for the state’s 17 First Nations councils.
Mr Butcher was charged with seven domestic violence related offences in June last year and was stood down by the council for a period before returning to the role.
The Cape York leader has strongly denied the allegations in their entirety and will be defending the charges.
Mr Butcher’s charges are listed for mention again in Cairns Magistrates Court on November 4, 2025.
Asked what message Mr Butcher’s involvement in the event sent about violence against women, Mr Crisafulli said the question was best answered by the LGAQ.
“I don’t have a say in that,” he said.
“That’s for councils and the two people on that (LGAQ) policy executive are Wayne (Butcher) and (Palm Island mayor) Alf (Lacey). That’s their call.”
Local Government Minister Ann Leahy and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Fiona Simpson attended the announcement alongside Mr Butcher.
Mr Crisafulli said councils and the LGAQ chose their own representatives for media events.
“They are accountable to their communities and they will determine whether or not they believe that they should be re-elected and we’ll give them every ability to control their own destiny,” he said.
“On the issue of who the local government association has on their policy executive, that’s a matter for them.
“They have two Indigenous mayors on that policy executive. I don’t have a decision on that.”
In a statement, the LGAQ stood by its decision to let Mr Butcher speak on behalf of the state’s Indigenous councils.
“Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor Wayne Butcher was elected to the LGAQ Policy Executive by his fellow First Nations Mayors, alongside Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor Alf Lacey,” the spokesman said.
“The Accord is an agreement struck between the State Government and Queensland’s 17 remote and discrete First Nations Councils through the LGAQ and was signed by LGAQ President Mayor Matt Burnett and Mayors Wayne Butcher and Alf Lacey as LGAQ Policy Executive members representing District 12- Aboriginal and Island councils.
“The Accord aims to enhance the representation and influence of Indigenous councils in Queensland’s decision-making processes.
“As the Cairns Post is aware, a fundamental legal principle in Australian law is that anyone with matters before the courts is entitled to natural justice including a presumption of innocence.”
The Premier also refused to comment on whether the LNP would give former Member for Barron River Michael Trout’s $17,500 donation to charity.
Trout was sentenced to 60 hours community service with no conviction recorded earlier this month following an incident where he punched a woman in the face during a Holloways Beach street fight last year.
“That’s a matter for the party,” Mr Crisafulli said. “But you asked me to call it out (punching a woman) and I did.
“I called out the behaviour and I did that on the floor of Parliament and I’ll do it again today. But in terms of that (the donation), that’s for the party.”
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Originally published as ‘Their call’: Premier calls on LGAQ to explain alleged DV offender’s role in major announcement
