Queensland police and political leaders are cautioning against vigilantism after an alleged assault involving a former Liberal National Party (LNP) MP, urging the public not to intervene in crime matters. The incident occurred in Holloways Beach near Cairns, where police responded to a disturbance on Friday, seizing weapons and making arrests. Later, reports emerged of individuals armed with weapons allegedly assaulting people and a car in the same area. Former MP Michael Trout claimed to have been assaulted, sustaining facial injuries.
Two individuals, a 15-year-old boy and a 47-year-old man, were charged following the initial incident. Subsequently, a 23-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man suffered non-life-threatening injuries, while a 31-year-old man required hospitalization.
Premier Steven Miles emphasized that vigilantism poses significant risks to the community, urging individuals to seek police assistance rather than taking matters into their own hands. The warning comes amidst ongoing police patrols in the affected areas.
Meanwhile, an independent thinktank estimated that proposed migration cuts by Peter Dutton, Australia’s Minister for Defence, would incur a $34 billion hit to the federal budget over the coming decades. This estimate aligns with Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ concerns about the economic implications of migration reductions, which Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese labeled as “voodoo economics.” Dutton’s proposal involves cutting permanent migration levels over four years, with potential long-term financial consequences.
