‘Matters for Mr Kempton’: Cook MP silent following controversial social media post
The LNP is distancing themselves from a paid social media post by a Far North backbencher defending a party powerbroker who punched a woman in the head during a street fight last year.
The LNP is distancing themselves from a paid social media post by a Far North backbencher defending a party powerbroker who punched a woman in the head during a street fight last year.
In promoted content on his electoral Facebook account in August, Member for Cook David Kempton accused “grubby gossipers” of “trying to rake muck on the LNP” after being questioned about his relationship with former Member for Barron River, Michael Trout.
Information on Facebook shows that the content was promoted to up to 2000 social media users at a cost of around $100.
Trout pleaded guilty to affray and was sentenced to 60 hours community service in October.
Mr Kempton hasn’t attended any press conferences since the promoted content was raised in Parliament earlier this month and Member for Barron River, Bree James, offered his apologies at the unveiling of a new tour boat in Port Douglas on Thursday.
Health Minister Tim Nicholls said it was now up to Mr Kempton to explain his actions.
“I join with the Premier (David Crisafulli) in condemning violence against women,” Mr Nicholls said.
“Violence full stop is unacceptable in our society, and we’ve made our position in respect to that entirely clear. We condemn violence of any sort.
“My understanding is that public funds were not used in relation to the Facebook post, but other matters in relation to that post made by Mr Kempton are matters for Mr Kempton to respond to.”
Mr Nicholls defended the LNP’s record on calling out violence against women.
“I was part of the government that commissioned Dame Quentin Bryce that did the investigation into episodes of domestic violence in the Not Now, Not Ever report (in 2015),” he said.
“It was a game-changer in terms of how the state addresses these issues.
“So we remain resolute in our position to support victims and survivors of domestic violence.”
In a statement received after the Cairns Post’s print deadline, Mr Kempton said: “I do not, nor have I ever, condoned the use of violence against women, or anybody. I did not boost the Facebook post on the 15th of August 2025 using taxpayer money.”
More Coverage
Originally published as ‘Matters for Mr Kempton’: Cook MP silent following controversial social media post
