The State of Origin legend turned politician is being punished for the shocking comments he made about the death of a teenager in a horror road accident
- Maroons great Martin Bella is now a politician
- Former prop reprimanded for Facebook post
- Followed the death of a teenager last year
Queensland Origin legend-turned-politician Martin Bella was asked to read the piece following his tone-deaf Facebook post about the death of a teenage Mackay.
Bella, who made 21 appearances for the Maroons between 1987 and 1994, will also have to undergo social media training.
This follows a controversial post from the 59-year-old about a skate park mural in Eimeo which emerged after the death of William Baker on May 28 last year.
The 17-year-old was killed in a collision between his dirt bike and a courtesy bus.
Bella, now Mackay’s adviser, posted on Facebook: ‘Maybe less apology would have prevented (the accident)’ and ‘A memorial should be dedicated to someone worthy, not someone who was breaking the law and ruined another person’s life”.
Queensland Origin legend turned politician Martin Bella (pictured, second left) was asked to read the piece following a Facebook post about the death of a teenage Mackay last year
Bella, 59, who made 21 appearances for the Maroons between 1987 and 1994, will also have to undergo social media training
It follows a post from Bella about a skate park mural in Eimeo which emerged after William Baker (pictured) died in a traffic accident on May 28 last year.
The rugby league journeyman, who represented North Sydney, Manly, Canterbury and North Queensland when he played, was found guilty of breaching ‘standards of behaviour’ during a council meeting.
Mackay Deputy Mayor Karen May accepted a public statement from Bella, in which he acknowledged his position was “inappropriate”.
“I did what I thought was right in the circumstances at stake – some may see this as a mistake,” the statement read.
“I recognize that my answers may be deemed inappropriate and I assure you that you had no intention of harming yourself – simply to ease the pressure that myself and others have been under, by simply fulfilling our roles responsibly and ethically. “
The community was previously up in arms after the Council twice painted over a mural that paid tribute to Baker.
Because the artist did not receive official council approval, the skate park mural was removed – and many councilors were subsequently abused.
Bella told the Mail Mail he was happy to complete the social media training he was ordered to take because he is “always ready to take a tip or two”.
