LNP questioned over paid ad defending Far North ‘woman puncher’
The LNP has failed to answer whether a Far North backbencher used taxpayer funds to defend a political ally who punched an “innocent” woman in the head during a Holloways Beach street fight.
The LNP has failed to answer whether a Far North backbencher used taxpayer funds to defend a political ally who punched a woman in the head during a Holloways Beach street fight.
Michael Trout was sentenced to 60 hours community service last month with no conviction recorded following an incident on Alamanda St in May last year which started after he struck female boxing champion, Leah Kawane, in the head.
After being spotted meeting with Trout at a Cairns CBD cafe in August prior to the verdict, Member for Cook David Kempton posted a paid advertisement defending his friendship with the former Barron River MP on Facebook.
“Trouty is a mate and we had a coffee and a chat at Envy Cafe earlier this week,” Mr Kempton said.
“I am an Aussie and will stick by my mates because I’m not afraid of grubby gossipers.”
Publicly accessible information on Facebook’s website has revealed that the post was promoted content which cost around $100 to publish by the Member for Cook.
The advertisement reached up to 2000 social media users targeted by Mr Kempton, running from August 9-16.
Questions to the LNP and Mr Kempton regarding how the post was paid for weren’t answered prior to deadline.
Two of Labor’s four questions to LNP Ministers related to Mr Kempton’s comments were ruled out of order during Parliament on Wednesday, including from Opposition Leader, Steven Miles inquiry to Women’s Minister Fiona Simpson.
“I table a Facebook post from the Member for Cooks MP page defending self-confessed woman puncher Michael Trout,” Mr Miles said.
“Does the Minister agree punching a woman is grubby gossip?”
Premier David Crisafulli later deflected a subsequent question from Deputy Opposition Leader Cameron Dick regarding whether taxpayers funds were used to promote Mr Kempton’s post.
Under the Electorate and Communication Allowance, MPs can pay for ads “where the Member is reasonably disseminating information in relation to their parliamentary/constituency role.”
But it must not be used for private or commercial purposes, campaigning or political party activities.
Given Trout is a longtime LNP powerbroker, it is unclear whether Mr Kempton has breached the ECA rules by posting the advertisement.
Additionally, it is understood that the LNP has yet to part with a $17,500 donation from Trout given to the party last year, despite calls that the money should be given to a charity supporting women who are victims of violence.
In a statement, an LNP spokesman said: “He (Trout) no longer holds any office within the Party and his actions have been condemned by the Premier and the Party, which is a stark difference to Labor who has continued to pocket hundreds of thousands of dollars from the militant and misogynistic CFMEU,” the spokesman said.
“Furthermore, Michael Healy remains on Labor’s frontbench despite sharing horrendous comments against women.”
The former Member for Barron River still wielded significant political influence in the Far North, Mr Dick said.
“Michael Trout helped get (current Barron River MP) Bree James elected to Parliament and donated to the LNP while being investigated for punching a woman in the face,” he said.
“But he is untouchable because the Premier is too weak to stand up to the LNP heavyweight.”
KEMPTON’S TERM
Since winning Cook in 2024, Mr Kempton has had a colourful run representing the sprawling Far North electorate.
In May, the lawyer copped backlash for a text message defending the LNP’s failure to include serious offences, including attempted murder, in its first wave of Adult Crime, Adult Time reforms.
In August, he was labelled a ‘FIFO ribbon cutter’ after charging ratepayers $650 to fly via helicopter from Cairns to Cow Bay for the opening of a health service.
When criticised for landing on the facility’s emergency helipad, Mr Kempton said that “there is no such thing” as an emergency landing pad – a claim later rejected by both Queensland and Health Minister Tim Nicholls.
At the Mareeba Chamber of Commerce luncheon, he told the crowd his electorate would struggle to receive funding for major projects because the 2032 Olympics would “suck out so many resources” from regional Queensland.
Mr Crisafulli said he “disagreed” with Mr Kempton’s comments at the time.
Originally published as LNP questioned over paid ad defending Far North ‘woman puncher’
