Officer appears on cocaine charge

KATTER’S Australian Party is calling for subsidies to remote Queensland bus services after COVID-19 shut down routes to many communities.

When COVID-19 struck, the Greyhound service from Mount Isa to Tennant Creek was stopped, leaving passengers displaced.

KAP leader Robbie Katter said the shutdowns prevented people from travelling for important purposes like work and left local agencies trying to organise journeys at a loss. According to the party, Greyhound had appealed for government support but got nowhere.

Defence lawyer Darren Robinson (left) and Senior Constable Toby Mitchell Taylor leave Townsville courthouse on Monday.

A POLICE officer suspended from duty after he was allegedly found with cocaine during a night out at Flinders Street has fronted court.

Senior Constable Toby Mitchell Taylor faced the Townsville Magistrates Court on Monday charged with a single count of possessing dangerous drugs.

The 30-year-old from the Central policing region was previously linked to the Sarina Police station in the Mackay District.

Defence lawyer Darren Robinson of Keir Steele Waldon appeared in court alongside SenConstable Taylor.

Mr Robinson requested a threeweek adjournment to allow case conferencing.

In a statement released last month, Queensland Police said Sen-constable Taylor was suspended from duty after he was issued with a Notice to Appear in court.

“In keeping with our commitment to high standards of behaviour, transparency and accountability, we have undertaken to inform the public when an officer faces serious allegations of misconduct,” the statement said.

“This does not mean the allegations against the officer have been substantiated.”

The 30-year-old was granted bail on his own undertaking. He is not required to appear when the matter returns to court in May.