Cook MP defends relationship with former member accused of assault
The LNP has been asked to explain its relationship with a former Far North MP fighting assaulting and stalking charges involving injuries to a female boxer and her partner.
The LNP has been asked to explain its relationship with a former Far North MP who has denied accusations of assaulting and stalking charges stemming from a female boxer being injured and left her partner in hospital.
Former Blazing Saddles businessman Michael Trout and Member for Cook, David Kempton, were spotted at a Cairns CBD cafe on Grafton St on Monday morning, with the meeting lasting less than an hour.
Mr Trout’s matter was heard earlier that day, alongside his co-accused Luke Norman Trout and Eric Frederick Forster.
Mr Trout and his brother, Luke, were charged with one count of assault occasioning bodily harm, assault occasioning bodily harm while armed in company and one count of unlawful stalking, intimidation, harassment, or abuse related to an incident last year.
Luke Trout will face a second charge of assault occasioning bodily harm while armed in company.
Mr Forster has been charged with three counts of assault occasioning bodily harm while armed in company.
On May 17, 2024, it is alleged that Leah Kawane and her husband, Jessie Howie, were assaulted at a Holloways Beach residence.
Michael Trout allegedly arrived at the property soon after another car pulled into the driveway.
It’s alleged he then confronted the three people in the car before allegedly assaulting Ms Kawane.
Mr Trout, who didn’t respond to calls from the Cairns Post, has previously denied the claims with the trial due to proceed in the Cairns Magistrates Court late next month.
When asked by the Cairns Post for an explanation at a press conference on Wednesday, Mr Kempton said he saw the former Member for Barron River regularly but the pair don’t discuss politics, nor does he provide strategic advice.
“(We meet) every couple of months,” the Cook MP said. “Michael Trout is a friend of mine and he’s not been convicted or found guilty of anything at this stage.
“He’s entitled to the same rights as everybody else.”
Mr Kempton said he fully supported the LNP’s tough stance on reducing crime across Queensland, which it campaigned on during the state election.
“We need to prevent violent crime at every opportunity,” he said.
“We’ve got the adult crime, adult time legislation which I support entirely and I’m an advocate for the whole youth justice process that we’re working on.”
Last October, an LNP whistleblower criticised the party for accepting a $17,500 “non-political” donation from Mr Trout prior to the state election.
Mr Kempton said he didn’t know whether the money was given back to Mr Trout, who served as the LNP’s Far North chair until last August when he was charged by police.
“I’ve got no idea,” he said. “I don’t have any influence or control over money donated to the LNP.
“I have no knowledge of that. I don’t have anything to say about that. I’m sorry, I don’t know anything about it.”
During a meeting with party faithful at Yorkeys Knob last month, premier David Crisafulli praised Mr Trout for recommending Member for Barron River, Bree James, prior to the last state election as the candidate that could beat the ALP’s Craig Crawford.
Mr Crisafulli didn’t respond to questions sent by the Cairns Post regarding Mr Trout and his relationship with the party prior to deadline.
Originally published as Cook MP defends relationship with former member accused of assault
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