Police caution MP Nick Dametto for breaking alcohol rules in Aboriginal community
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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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
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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.
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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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The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Hard luck Story: protesters cross over bridge march ban
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"Because of the features of the venue chosen there is a significant risk to public safety," Ms Brassington said. "It will inhibit access to major hospitals in Brisbane and to fire crews." Ms Brassington said there was uncontested evidence the march could be held on an alternative route used for other protests but did not involve crossing the Story Bridge. Justice for Palestine Magan-djin did not consent to the alternative route across Victoria Bridge, so Ms Brassington was unable to make an order for that plan to be an authorised protest. Rally organiser Remah Naji said the march would still go ahead at its planned starting point in a nearby park but was yet to decide on whether to cross the Story Bridge. "We are considering our options … we are going to make a decision publicly over the next couple of days," she said. Justice for Palestine rally organisers had earlier indicated they would defy any court order and go ahead with the bridge protest to highlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. "Plan B is to go ahead. We plan to march across the Story Bridge on the 24th of August," Ms Naji told Nine Network's Today Show. Queensland Police's senior lawyer Marshall Bostock made the application to Brisbane Magistrates Court seeking to have the protest declared unauthorised. "If there were anti-social behaviour on the bridge during the course of the procession, (senior police leadership) would not be able to send police in to adequately respond," Mr Bostock said. Queensland Police Assistant Commissioner Rhys Wildman said there was insufficient fencing to stop protesters climbing from the bridge's road lanes to its footpaths, which were unsafe. Justice for Palestine Magan-djin's barrister Angus Scott told Ms Brassington it was not reasonable or necessary for public safety fears to block the march. "It's not enough to point to inconvenience, disruption or the fact that a sporting game is in the nearby vicinity," he said. Police and Brisbane rally organisers attempted mediation earlier this week without success. The march aimed to mirror a recent demonstration across Sydney's Harbour Bridge in which nearly 100,000 people attended in a sea of ponchos amid wet weather. NSW Premier Chris Minns on Thursday said he would consider introducing legislation to stop the Harbour Bridge being used for protests. "I'm not ruling it out," he said. The planned Brisbane protest was supported by civil society groups who said the court action was a waste of taxpayer money. Queensland Police Minister Dan Purdie urged protesters to respect the court order. "If protesters defy the decision ... it will not only put people at risk, it will also take hundreds of police away from responding to crime," he said. A magistrate has ruled a pro-Palestine march should not take place on a major bridge over fears it will pose a "significant risk to public safety". Rally organisers have indicated they may defy the court order and go ahead with the protest on Brisbane's Story Bridge on Sunday. Police launched legal action to stop thousands of people marching on Queensland's landmark six-lane bridge as part of a national day of action. Chief Magistrate Janelle Brassington on Thursday ruled against it taking place, removing legal protections for participants and ensuring police have the power to charge or arrest protesters if they obstruct traffic. Ms Brassington said rally organisers had good intentions but their proposal to cross the bridge could easily get out of control. Up to 10,000 people were expected to attend the Brisbane rally as part of the nationwide day of action billed as the largest pro-Palestine demonstration in Australia's history. "Because of the features of the venue chosen there is a significant risk to public safety," Ms Brassington said. "It will inhibit access to major hospitals in Brisbane and to fire crews." Ms Brassington said there was uncontested evidence the march could be held on an alternative route used for other protests but did not involve crossing the Story Bridge. Justice for Palestine Magan-djin did not consent to the alternative route across Victoria Bridge, so Ms Brassington was unable to make an order for that plan to be an authorised protest. Rally organiser Remah Naji said the march would still go ahead at its planned starting point in a nearby park but was yet to decide on whether to cross the Story Bridge. "We are considering our options … we are going to make a decision publicly over the next couple of days," she said. Justice for Palestine rally organisers had earlier indicated they would defy any court order and go ahead with the bridge protest to highlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. "Plan B is to go ahead. We plan to march across the Story Bridge on the 24th of August," Ms Naji told Nine Network's Today Show. Queensland Police's senior lawyer Marshall Bostock made the application to Brisbane Magistrates Court seeking to have the protest declared unauthorised. "If there were anti-social behaviour on the bridge during the course of the procession, (senior police leadership) would not be able to send police in to adequately respond," Mr Bostock said. Queensland Police Assistant Commissioner Rhys Wildman said there was insufficient fencing to stop protesters climbing from the bridge's road lanes to its footpaths, which were unsafe. Justice for Palestine Magan-djin's barrister Angus Scott told Ms Brassington it was not reasonable or necessary for public safety fears to block the march. "It's not enough to point to inconvenience, disruption or the fact that a sporting game is in the nearby vicinity," he said. Police and Brisbane rally organisers attempted mediation earlier this week without success. The march aimed to mirror a recent demonstration across Sydney's Harbour Bridge in which nearly 100,000 people attended in a sea of ponchos amid wet weather. NSW Premier Chris Minns on Thursday said he would consider introducing legislation to stop the Harbour Bridge being used for protests. "I'm not ruling it out," he said. The planned Brisbane protest was supported by civil society groups who said the court action was a waste of taxpayer money. Queensland Police Minister Dan Purdie urged protesters to respect the court order. "If protesters defy the decision ... it will not only put people at risk, it will also take hundreds of police away from responding to crime," he said. A magistrate has ruled a pro-Palestine march should not take place on a major bridge over fears it will pose a "significant risk to public safety". Rally organisers have indicated they may defy the court order and go ahead with the protest on Brisbane's Story Bridge on Sunday. Police launched legal action to stop thousands of people marching on Queensland's landmark six-lane bridge as part of a national day of action. Chief Magistrate Janelle Brassington on Thursday ruled against it taking place, removing legal protections for participants and ensuring police have the power to charge or arrest protesters if they obstruct traffic. Ms Brassington said rally organisers had good intentions but their proposal to cross the bridge could easily get out of control. Up to 10,000 people were expected to attend the Brisbane rally as part of the nationwide day of action billed as the largest pro-Palestine demonstration in Australia's history. "Because of the features of the venue chosen there is a significant risk to public safety," Ms Brassington said. "It will inhibit access to major hospitals in Brisbane and to fire crews." Ms Brassington said there was uncontested evidence the march could be held on an alternative route used for other protests but did not involve crossing the Story Bridge. Justice for Palestine Magan-djin did not consent to the alternative route across Victoria Bridge, so Ms Brassington was unable to make an order for that plan to be an authorised protest. Rally organiser Remah Naji said the march would still go ahead at its planned starting point in a nearby park but was yet to decide on whether to cross the Story Bridge. "We are considering our options … we are going to make a decision publicly over the next couple of days," she said. Justice for Palestine rally organisers had earlier indicated they would defy any court order and go ahead with the bridge protest to highlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. "Plan B is to go ahead. We plan to march across the Story Bridge on the 24th of August," Ms Naji told Nine Network's Today Show. Queensland Police's senior lawyer Marshall Bostock made the application to Brisbane Magistrates Court seeking to have the protest declared unauthorised. "If there were anti-social behaviour on the bridge during the course of the procession, (senior police leadership) would not be able to send police in to adequately respond," Mr Bostock said. Queensland Police Assistant Commissioner Rhys Wildman said there was insufficient fencing to stop protesters climbing from the bridge's road lanes to its footpaths, which were unsafe. Justice for Palestine Magan-djin's barrister Angus Scott told Ms Brassington it was not reasonable or necessary for public safety fears to block the march. "It's not enough to point to inconvenience, disruption or the fact that a sporting game is in the nearby vicinity," he said. Police and Brisbane rally organisers attempted mediation earlier this week without success. The march aimed to mirror a recent demonstration across Sydney's Harbour Bridge in which nearly 100,000 people attended in a sea of ponchos amid wet weather. NSW Premier Chris Minns on Thursday said he would consider introducing legislation to stop the Harbour Bridge being used for protests. "I'm not ruling it out," he said. The planned Brisbane protest was supported by civil society groups who said the court action was a waste of taxpayer money. Queensland Police Minister Dan Purdie urged protesters to respect the court order. "If protesters defy the decision ... it will not only put people at risk, it will also take hundreds of police away from responding to crime," he said. A magistrate has ruled a pro-Palestine march should not take place on a major bridge over fears it will pose a "significant risk to public safety". Rally organisers have indicated they may defy the court order and go ahead with the protest on Brisbane's Story Bridge on Sunday. Police launched legal action to stop thousands of people marching on Queensland's landmark six-lane bridge as part of a national day of action. Chief Magistrate Janelle Brassington on Thursday ruled against it taking place, removing legal protections for participants and ensuring police have the power to charge or arrest protesters if they obstruct traffic. Ms Brassington said rally organisers had good intentions but their proposal to cross the bridge could easily get out of control. Up to 10,000 people were expected to attend the Brisbane rally as part of the nationwide day of action billed as the largest pro-Palestine demonstration in Australia's history. "Because of the features of the venue chosen there is a significant risk to public safety," Ms Brassington said. "It will inhibit access to major hospitals in Brisbane and to fire crews." Ms Brassington said there was uncontested evidence the march could be held on an alternative route used for other protests but did not involve crossing the Story Bridge. Justice for Palestine Magan-djin did not consent to the alternative route across Victoria Bridge, so Ms Brassington was unable to make an order for that plan to be an authorised protest. Rally organiser Remah Naji said the march would still go ahead at its planned starting point in a nearby park but was yet to decide on whether to cross the Story Bridge. "We are considering our options … we are going to make a decision publicly over the next couple of days," she said. Justice for Palestine rally organisers had earlier indicated they would defy any court order and go ahead with the bridge protest to highlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. "Plan B is to go ahead. We plan to march across the Story Bridge on the 24th of August," Ms Naji told Nine Network's Today Show. Queensland Police's senior lawyer Marshall Bostock made the application to Brisbane Magistrates Court seeking to have the protest declared unauthorised. "If there were anti-social behaviour on the bridge during the course of the procession, (senior police leadership) would not be able to send police in to adequately respond," Mr Bostock said. Queensland Police Assistant Commissioner Rhys Wildman said there was insufficient fencing to stop protesters climbing from the bridge's road lanes to its footpaths, which were unsafe. Justice for Palestine Magan-djin's barrister Angus Scott told Ms Brassington it was not reasonable or necessary for public safety fears to block the march. "It's not enough to point to inconvenience, disruption or the fact that a sporting game is in the nearby vicinity," he said. Police and Brisbane rally organisers attempted mediation earlier this week without success. The march aimed to mirror a recent demonstration across Sydney's Harbour Bridge in which nearly 100,000 people attended in a sea of ponchos amid wet weather. NSW Premier Chris Minns on Thursday said he would consider introducing legislation to stop the Harbour Bridge being used for protests. "I'm not ruling it out," he said. The planned Brisbane protest was supported by civil society groups who said the court action was a waste of taxpayer money. Queensland Police Minister Dan Purdie urged protesters to respect the court order. "If protesters defy the decision ... it will not only put people at risk, it will also take hundreds of police away from responding to crime," he said.
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
Pro-Palestine group suffer devastating blow as planned Story Bridge protest in Brisbane knocked back
Pro-Palestine protesters have been dealt a huge blow in their bid to march across Brisbane's iconic Story Bridge, after a court blocked the planned demonstration. But the group has vowed to go ahead with their assembly regardless this weekend, with organiser Remah Naji saying they were 'still considering their options' after the court loss. 'We're here in the first place because Israel is committing a genocide. According to the International Court of Justice, there is a plausible genocide occurring,' Ms Naji said outside Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon. 'Our government has an obligation to prevent and punish genocide.' Orders were being sought by Queensland Police to block the march by the Justice for Palestine (JFP) Magan-djin (Brisbane) group across the Story Bridge. Up to 7000 people could march but that number could go as high as 10,000. In a legal challenge lodged to the Brisbane Magistrates Court, the Queensland Police Service (QPS) argued the march posed too great of a risk to the public. On Thursday, the order to allow protesters to cross the bridge was refused by chief magistrate Janelle Brassington. She acknowledged the group's 'good intentions' in organising the march and had made attempts to mitigate any risks that might be posed to public safety. But Ms Brassington said the group did not have the relevant expertise or experience to manage these risks, and risked hindering emergency services – even if the group were to keep a single lane of the bridge open. 'I am satisfied the applicant (Commissioner of Queensland Police) has established, on its evidence, a real and significant risk of the safety of persons in this case, on the proposed route,' she ruled. Ms Brassington said the numbers at the Sydney march showed how easily organisers could be overwhelmed. However, she reiterated that a refusal of authorisation did not make public assembly 'unlawful'. JFP organiser Rouba Rayan said they were 'disappointed' in the decision. She told waiting media Israel was 'starving over one million children' and had been 'indiscriminately killing Palestinian children' – including her cousin who died in an air strike. 'We may not have had the judgment in our favour today, but we will continue to fight for freedom and justice until our federal government ends the weapons trade with Israel,' she said. Ms Naji said the group was weighing up options about a possible appeal and the route for the march on Sunday. 'We have demonstrated over the past 22 months that we are able to organise rallies and demonstrations that are safe and inclusive and family-friendly,' she said. Asked if she was prepared to be arrested if she still marched across the bridge, Ms Naji said: 'I am prepared to do everything in my power to pressure my government to act in accordance with international law.' 'The plan is still to assemble at one o'clock at Raymond Park.' In a statement issued shortly after the ruling, Queensland Police Minister Dan Purdie said: 'The courts have backed our police and we call on event organisers to respect the decision of the court.' 'If protestors defy the decision of the court, it will not only put people at risk, it will also take hundreds of police away from responding to crime,' he continued. Cops' 'serious' concern to public safety During the hearing, Rhys Wildman, Acting Assistant Queensland Police Commissioner of the Brisbane Region, told the court police would always support the right to a peaceful assembly but said the QPS needed to balance that against the public safety that might be put at risk. He said on an average year, the police's major events planning unit in Brisbane delivered over 500 planned and unplanned events – including protests. 'In relation to this particular event, we absolutely have no objections to the protests organisers or the group,' he said. 'It's around the route they are proposing, going across the Story Bridge.' Commissioner Wildman said a Lions AFL game at The Gabba was also set to occur on the same day as the planned protest. Up to 30,000 people – a standard figure for a Lions game – were expected to attend the match. 'It is normal for patrons to arrive early and obtain parking and transport into those locations,' he said. 'We already have a policing commitment around that venue.' Commissioner Wildman said he had 'significant' concerns police would be able to keep protesters and officers safe as a result of the clashing events. The court was told significant events which occurred on the Story Bridge took 'months and months' of planning. 'In an unplanned event such as this (protest) we have 7000 protesters … crossing the bridge. We have no understanding of who is participating,' Commissioner Wildman said. 'I have serious concerns around the safety of the bridge itself, particularly around the footpaths.' He explained protesters could jump the foot rails bordering the path – which had been deemed unsafe by the Brisbane City Council. Commissioner Wildman told the court there was a risk the protesters could also cross over into pedestrian traffic from the planned start route at Raymond Park in Kangaroo Point, in addition to crossing into nearby streets. 'This is a community safety issue for me … it is not a protest issue,' he said. The full police numbers were still being determined but Commissioner Wildman said other units across southeast Queensland would be needed to ensure public safety. Commissioner Wildman addressed the recent march across Sydney's Harbour Bridge, telling the court there were communication issued between the marshals and protesters on the day. Police estimated 90,000 people took part in the march – leading to officers telling demonstrators to turn around due to the sheer volume of people finishing the protest. Campaigners say the number of attendees was closer to 300,000. Commissioner Wildman said it would be 'extremely challenging' to order protesters in this planned march to turn around in similar circumstances. During cross-examination, he acknowledged plans would be in place on Sunday regardless of the outcome of the hearing and police would have the powers to deal with breaches of the peace. This includes whether anyone would climb onto the blocked footpaths. Defence barrister Angus Scott KC asked why 'thousands' of similar protests, such as Black Lives Matter and Climate Strike rallies, were allowed to march under police directions. Commissioner Wildman said many had marched along the Victoria Bridge and reiterated significant planning and police resources had gone into managing those marches. Acting Assistant Commissioner Adam Johnson from NSW Police, who was the operations commander at the time of the Sydney Harbour Bridge march, also gave evidence over the phone. Commissioner Johnson said marshals from the Sydney protest became 'overwhelmed' and NSW Police took control – at the request of the Palestine Action Group Sydney – early on. The court was told there were fears of a crowd crush during the rally. Mr Scott submitted the event could reasonably be managed by authorities, noting the Sydney rally still went ahead despite the police attempt to stop it. 'In consequence, whether or not the court gave the approval, there wouldn't be a significant impact on public safety,' he said. Mr Scott said the effective submission from police was: 'This has never been done before, so we don't know what's going to happen, in circumstances where mass rallies occur all the time.' 'This (JFP) is a credible organisation that has measures in place to deal with the issues that have been raised,' he continued. Chief Magistrate Janelle Brassington said she had considered the 'high standard' because of the importance of protests and that the court would not simply block them out of 'mere inconvenience'. 'Balanced against that, you have the evidence of those who are experts in the assessment of the risk,' she said.
Sky News AU
4 hours ago
- Sky News AU
No agreement between state and federal governments on NDIS reforms despite major commitments by Labor
State and federal governments have yet to agree on billions in funding for children with developmental delays and autism after major NDIS reform announcements by Health Minister Mark Butler. Mr Butler declared that federal and state governments would jointly fund $2 billion for the Thriving Kids program in order to redirect children away from the costly NDIS. However, no such agreement has yet been reached with the state and territory leaders in relation to foundational supports. Finance Minister Katy Gallagher insisted on Thursday that states would be required to match the $2 billion contribution. 'That's the expectation. We made provision for that,' Ms Gallagher told ABC News when asked about funding details of the NDIS reform. 'We're not just outsourcing it to the states and saying you've got to deliver all of this. We are saying we want to be a player in that. 'It will be a mix and hopefully be building on existing services.' However, state leaders have stopped short of endorsing the plan as NSW Premier Chris Minns said he would 'examine' the full details of the scheme. 'I think the idea from the Commonwealth government that you would have every jurisdiction have dissimilar enabling or support services for those on the NDIS is probably an unworkable scheme,' he said. 'I can't sign a blank cheque. I'm not going to commit sight unseen, but we will commit to working with the Commonwealth government to have a sustainable disability support program right across the country, and NSW, of course, will do its bit.' Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan revealed on Thursday that she was caught off guard by the NDIS announcement. 'Like many states and territories, we heard about the proposed changes from the federal government when the minister made his address,' she said. 'There are many families, particularly many parents, today who have many questions and I hope that the federal government can move quickly to answer the questions that families are asking.' Shadow NDIS Minister Anne Ruston told Sky News the announcement had left families and providers in limbo. 'He (Mr Butler) clearly hadn't spoken to the states and territories who have to deliver these supports. He hadn't spoken to his stakeholders,' she said. 'He hasn't spoken to the opposition, if he wanted bipartisan support. So I think yesterday presented us with more questions than answers.' Mr Butler, who announced the changes earlier this week, called for the changes as the NDIS has strayed from its original purpose. 'Children with mild to moderate levels of developmental delay and autism should not, in my view, be on a scheme set up for permanent disability,' Mr Butler said on Wednesday. According to new data, 56,000 of the 78,600 people who signed up to the NDIS in the 12 months to June 2025 listed autism as their primary diagnosis. That figure accounted for 71 per cent of all new entrants, more than ten times higher than the next most common reason: developmental delay (5,553). The exponential growth in participants has caused the scheme to grow by as much as 24 per cent between 2020 and 2024, with the government attempting to cut that down to 8 per cent. The NDIS was originally expected to peak at 4 per cent annual growth when the scheme was launched in 2013.
