Police caution MP Nick Dametto for breaking alcohol rules in Aboriginal community
A Queensland MP who was photographed drinking full-strength beer while in a restricted alcohol zone in the Aboriginal community of Palm Island, has told parliament he was issued with a caution by Queensland Police.
Nick Dametto, the Katter's Austraila Party (KAP) member for Hinchinbrook, shared photos on Facebook on Good Friday that showed him and friends on a beach on Curacao Island in North Queensland.
The Island, about one kilometre from Great Palm Island, falls under an alcohol management plan, which prohibits full-strength beer from being brought to and consumed on 10 islands that collectively make up the Palm Island Aboriginal Shire.
Mr Dametto posted photos of a day around islands in the Palm Island group.
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Supplied
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Mr Dametto told State Parliament he was unaware Curacao Island fell under the same regulations.
The maximum amount of alcohol a person can carry in the restricted area is 11.25 litres of any liquor with an alcohol concentration of less than 4 per cent.
The beer Mr Dametto was photographed drinking has an alcohol concentration of 4.2 per cent.
"The incident was subsequently investigated by Queensland Police and, following the investigation, an adult caution was issued. I can advise the House that the matter is now finalised," Mr Dametto told State Parliament this morning.
Former Palm Island Aboriginal Shire councillor Andrea Kyle-Sailor.
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Supplied
)
Bwgcolman woman and former councillor Andrea Kyle-Sailor said in her experience it was rare for Palm Island residents to be cautioned over breaking alcohol management plan laws.
"I was really disappointed that once again there appears to be these double standards and I would have hoped that the MP would have faced the consequences like we have to,"
she said.
"The only time I've ever heard of a caution is for children, but I've never heard of it being done for adults — particularly for the AMP [Alcohol Management Plan]."
Ms Kyle-Sailor said many years go her own aunty, who was 67-years-old, had to face court for breaking the restrictions.
"No criminal history, had never been before the courts in her life and she wasn't afforded a caution," she said.
"She had to face the Magistrates Court which was a bit embarrassing."
The Palm Island group sits about 65 kilometres north of Townsville.
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ABC News: Baz Ruddick
)
Ms Kyle-Sailor said she would like the government to review the alcohol management plan to see if it was necessary.
She said she knew people who had lost their job, their blue card and even been imprisoned for breaking the restrictions.
"There are serious consequences to this 'not so serious crime' so it just seems like a double standard,"
she said.
"A caution is when the crime is not serious. Well, why are we continuing to go to court and being heavily fined?"
The alcohol management plan on Palm Island is enforced by Queensland Police.
(
ABC News: Baz Ruddick
)
Fifteen local government areas across Queensland have alcohol restrictions with varying rules co-designed between the state government and the communities.
Alcohol management plans are designed to target illicit alcohol and promote "a healthy culture and attitude" towards alcohol.
When asked about the incident involving Mr Dametto, a spokesperson for Queensland Police said the investigation had been finalised.
"Police have issued a 41-year-old Ingham man with an adult caution following investigations into an alleged breach of the Curacao Island alcohol management plan on April 18," the spokesperson said.
Mr Dametto said he had no further comments to make.
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