Les Walker
MP
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly
for Mundingburra
Assumed office
31 October 2020
Preceded byCoralee O'Rourke
Deputy Mayor of Townsville
In office
12 May 2016 – 26 April 2020
LeaderJenny Hill
Succeeded byMark Molachino
Townsville City Councillor
for Division 10
In office
28 April 2012 – 24 November 2020
Preceded byNew division
Succeeded byFran O'Callaghan
Personal details
Born (1965-01-15) 15 January 1965
NationalityAustralian
Political partyAustralian Labor Party
SpouseKaylene Walker
Children2
OccupationSmall 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."[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

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


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