Premier says tougher laws 'will be considered' after war memorials damaged
Incidents occurred days before Remembrance Day on November 11
Quick Look
- Police have charged one man and another is assisting enquiries after vandalism at war memorials in Cleveland and Hervey Bay, Queensland.
- A cenotaph pillar was broken at Anzac Park in Cleveland, and a flagpole at the Hervey Bay RSL was rammed three times by a vehicle.
- Both incidents occurred days before Remembrance Day on November 11.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Two separate acts of vandalism occurred at war memorial sites in Cleveland and Hervey Bay, Queensland, just days before Remembrance Day on November 11. A cenotaph pillar at Anzac Park in Cleveland was found broken on Sunday morning, and a flagpole at the Hervey Bay RSL was rammed three times by a black Nissan Navara just before 7am on Monday.
Police have charged one man and another is assisting with enquiries after two separate acts of vandalism at war memorial monuments in Cleveland and Hervey Bay.
The pillar of a 106-year-old war memorial cenotaph in Anzac Park at Cleveland, east of Brisbane, was found broken on Sunday morning.
Photos show the pillar which sat atop the memorial shattered on the ground below.
At around midday on Monday a 20-year-old Cleveland man attended a police station and is currently assisting police with their enquiries.
Police said they are looking for three other people reported in the area at the time.
Meanwhile, sub-branch president of the Hervey Bay RSL, Brad Gray, came to work on Monday morning to find the club's flagpole damaged.
CCTV footage shows a black Nissan Navara driving into the pole three times just before 7am.
Police attended the scene a short time later and apprehended a 38-year-old man in the vehicle nearby.
The man has been charged with a range of offences including wilful damage, possessing a knife in a public place and drug charges.
The vehicle had a mattress placed over its bonnet and windscreen.
Both incidents occurred just days before Remembrance Day.
Queensland Premier and Minister for Veterans David Crisafulli said the damage done to the Cleveland memorial was "disgraceful".
"We will watch the outcome very closely if it progresses through court, and it tougher laws are needed, they will be considered."
Mr Gray said the damage to the RSL's flagpole was not good timing.
"I've got no hope I get anybody in to repair ir before Remembrance Day. It'll have to be like that."
"I don't get what these people get out of desecrating a war memorial," he said.
" I can't see the sense in it. It's just sheer vandalism. "
He said there are no changes planned for Wednesday's Remembrance Day events.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The 38-year-old man charged with wilful damage and other offences will proceed through the court system.
Very likely · Within weeks
Queensland will consider tougher laws if the case progresses through court.
Possible · Within months
Open Questions
- Who are the three other people police are looking for in connection with the Cleveland incident?
- What is the status of the 20-year-old Cleveland man assisting police?
- Will tougher laws be considered for vandalism at war memorials?
- When will the Hervey Bay RSL flagpole be repaired?