Les Walker (politician) explained

Honorific-Suffix:MP
Constituency Am1:Mundingburra
Assembly1:Queensland Legislative
Termstart1:31 October 2020
Predecessor1:Coralee O'Rourke
Office2:Deputy Mayor of Townsville
Term Start2:12 May 2016
Term End2:26 April 2020
Leader2:Jenny Hill
Successor2:Mark Molachino
Office3:Councillor of the City of Townsville
for Division 10
Term Start3:28 April 2012
Term End3:24 November 2020
Predecessor3:New division
Successor3:Fran O'Callaghan
Birth Date:1965 1, df=yes
Nationality:Australian
Party:Labor
Otherparty:Team Jenny Hill (until 2020)
Spouse:Kaylene Walker
Children:2
Occupation:Small business owner

Leslie Alexander Walker (born 15 January 1965) is an Australian politician currently serving as member for Mundingburra in the Queensland Legislative Assembly, a position he has held since 2020.[1] He served as a Townsville City councillor from 2004,[2] and was Deputy Mayor of Townsville from 2016 to 2020.[3] [4]

Walker won preselection for Mundingburra following the retirement of the sitting member, Labor frontbencher Coralee O'Rourke.[5] [6]

On 16 January 2021, Walker was knocked unconscious at Townsville's Mad Cow Tavern nightclub while celebrating his 56th birthday. Police issued Walker with an $800 public nuisance infringement notice and was banned from the town's pubs, nightclubs and restaurants for a period of 10 days. No charges were laid.[7]

On 30 July 2021, Walker was charged with common assault[8] on a former independent candidate at the 2017 Queensland state election for the Thuringowa electorate, Stephen Lane,[9] who is the son of a former Thuringowa City and Townsville City Councillor Jenny Lane.[10]

Walker appeared in the Townsville Magistrates Court on 13 August 2021. Walker did not enter a plea, but said outside the court that he would contest the charges.[11]

On 27 August, Walker's lawyer appeared on his behalf and entered no plea, simply stating that the case is “subject to case conferencing". The matter was adjourned to 3 September 2021.[12]

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk stated she was "disappointed" by the events, and confirmed that Walker had agreed to stand down from his role on the Transport and Resources Committee and from his role as a Temporary Speaker."

On 5 November, Walker was acquitted, with a magistrate describing the case as a "waste of time".[13] Walker subsequently resumed his parliamentary roles, including as a member of the Transport and Resources Committee.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Results - Mundingburra . ABC News - Elections . Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) . 1 November 2020.
  2. Web site: Townsville City Division 10 Councillor . Electoral Commission of Queensland . Queensland Government . 1 November 2020.
  3. Web site: Cr Les Walker . Townsville City Council . Queensland Government . 1 November 2020.
  4. Web site: 2008 Townsville City Council - Councillor Election - Election Summary . Electoral Commission of Queensland . Queensland Government . 1 November 2020.
  5. Web site: Labor picks minister's replacement in marginal seat . Gatton Star . News Corp Australia . 1 November 2020.
  6. Web site: Labor preselection victory goes to Les Walker . Townsville Bulletin . News Corp Australia . 1 November 2020.
  7. Web site: 21 January 2021. Mundingburra MP Les Walker fined and banned from city centre over fight at Townsville nightclub. 21 January 2021. www.abc.net.au. en-AU.
  8. News: Premier 'deeply disappointed' as Queensland MP is charged and banned from nightclub precinct again . 27 August 2021 . ABC News . 1 August 2021 . en-AU.
  9. News: Dennien . Matt . Opposition calls for sacking of Townsville MP after assault charge . 27 August 2021 . Brisbane Times . 2 August 2021 . en.
  10. News: Riley . Rachel . Bashing victim says justice system letting down the community . 27 August 2021 . Herald Sun . 17 April 2017 . en-AU.
  11. News: Queensland MP Les Walker in court over assault charges . ABC News . 13 August 2021 . en-AU.
  12. News: MP's matter heard in court . 27 August 2021 . Townsville Bulletin . 27 August 2021.
  13. News: Queensland MP Les Walker acquitted of assault after confrontation outside Townsville pub . 8 June 2022 . ABC News . 5 November 2021.