“I trust that Mr Leavers will help to break down barriers on the border and support our unique townships now and into the future.”
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Leavers has faced public scrutiny since October when he was accused of putting forward an “outward racist ideology” in a News Corp opinion piece.
He doubled-down in a press conference, describing earlier criticism as “water off a duck’s back” because he was saying things people were “too frightened to”.
The articled sparked an open letter from more than 30 First Nations figures, community service organisations and eminent legal identity Margaret McMurdo calling for his resignation.
Asked if he thought this would impact Leavers’ ability to work with First Nations communities, Miles said it was “a very different role”.
“But I think it’s one he is eminently equipped to do. I think his experience both with the police service and the union lends itself to the kind of collaboration that’s going to be required.”
Leavers, who has held his union role since 2009, told journalists at a media conference with Miles that he was “approached in the last 24 hours” for the role.
“I relish the opportunity, I look forward to working very hard … and I believe I have the runs on the board,” he said.
“You’ve seen me over the last 15 years – whoever I’ve had to hold to account, I’ve done that, and I’ll continue to do that.”
Greens MP Michael Berkman questioned “why the government sees fit to put Mr Leavers in this role”, labelling the appointment not “terribly constructive”.
The LNP has long seized on increased offending by a small cohort of youths to paint crime as a crisis and is now campaigning on “adult time” for “adult crime” ahead of October’s election amid favourable polls.
Source Agencies
