Les Walker (politician)
Les Walker | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Mundingburra | |
| In office 31 October 2020 – 26 October 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Coralee O'Rourke |
| Succeeded by | Janelle Poole |
| Deputy Mayor of Townsville | |
| In office 12 May 2016 – 26 April 2020 | |
| Leader | Jenny Hill |
| Succeeded by | Mark Molachino |
| Councillor of the City of Townsville for Division 10 | |
| In office 28 April 2012 – 24 November 2020 | |
| Preceded by | New division |
| Succeeded by | Fran O'Callaghan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 January 1965 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | Labor |
| Other political affiliations | 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 who served as the member for Mundingburra in the Queensland Legislative Assembly for one term from 2020 until his defeat at the 2024 state election.[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."[8]
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.
References
- ^ "Results - Mundingburra". ABC News - Elections. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
- ^ "Townsville City Division 10 Councillor". Electoral Commission of Queensland. Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
- ^ "Cr Les Walker". Townsville City Council. Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 9 August 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
- ^ "2008 Townsville City Council - Councillor Election - Election Summary". Electoral Commission of Queensland. Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 26 March 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
- ^ "Labor picks minister's replacement in marginal seat". Gatton Star. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
- ^ "Labor preselection victory goes to Les Walker". Townsville Bulletin. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
- ^ "Mundingburra MP Les Walker fined and banned from city centre over fight at Townsville nightclub". www.abc.net.au. 21 January 2021. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
- ^ a b "Premier 'deeply disappointed' as Queensland MP is charged and banned from nightclub precinct again". ABC News. 1 August 2021. Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
- ^ Dennien, Matt (2 August 2021). "Opposition calls for sacking of Townsville MP after assault charge". Brisbane Times. Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
- ^ Riley, Rachel (17 April 2017). "Bashing victim says justice system letting down the community". Herald Sun. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
- ^ "Queensland MP Les Walker in court over assault charges". ABC News. 13 August 2021. Archived from the original on 10 August 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
- ^ "MP's matter heard in court". Townsville Bulletin. 27 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
- ^ "Queensland MP Les Walker acquitted of assault after confrontation outside Townsville pub". ABC News. 5 November 2021. Archived from the original on 8 June 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022.