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General News

2 June, 2020

MP Jason Costigan cleared by QLD police

NQ First Leader and Whitsunday MP Jason Costigan has been cleared by police for any wrongdoing after entering Cooktown last month.

By Phil Brandel

MP Jason Costigan cleared by QLD police - feature photo

NQ First Leader and Whitsunday MP Jason Costigan has been cleared by police for any wrongdoing after entering Cooktown last month.

Cooktown and Cape York were declared Designated Federal Biosecurity Areas on March 27, with strict entry restrictions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The NQ First leader, who is based in Proserpine visited the town on May 14 where he announced his party’s new candidate for the seat of Cook, former Wujal Wujal Mayor Desmond Tayley.

In a written statement Mr Costigan said he had been "Contacted by the Queensland Police Service (QPS), advising him that the QPS would not be pursuing the matter after concluding their investigation.“ he said

“After giving my version of events, I have been advised by a senior detective from Brisbane, who was part of the investigation, that the QPS would be taking no further action, which came as a relief but as no real surprise, given the advice we received and the steps we took, as noted by the investigators themselves,

"I want to thank the QPS for putting the matter to bed especially given there had already been an investigation as far as I'm concerned - underlined by the fact the QPS came back to The Courier-Mail's police reporter on or about May 15 and indicated to that journalist that I was in the clear back then."

A QPS spokesperson said “The QPS has finalised its investigation into Whitsunday MP Jason Costigan travelling to Cooktown, a Designated Biosecurity Area, on May 14.“ they said

“Following extensive inquiries, the QPS has determined that there is insufficient evidence to commence a prosecution in relation to an offence under the Biosecurity Act 2015.

“Mr Costigan has been advised of the outcome and no further police action will be taken in relation to the matter.”

 

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