State of Origin legend Martin Bella punished over shocking comments on teen’s tragic death
State of Origin legend turned politician is being punished for shocking comments he made about the death of a teenager in a horrific road accident
- Maroon’s great Martin Bella is now a politician
- Former prop reprimanded for a Facebook post
- Followed the death of a teenager last year
Queensland Origin legend turned politician Martin Bella has been urged to read the room following his tone-deaf Facebook post about the death of a Mackay teenager.
Bella, who played 21 times for the Maroons between 1987 and 1994, will also need social media training.
It follows a controversial post from the 59-year-old regarding a skatepark mural in Eimeo that surfaced after William Baker’s death on May 28 last year.
The 17-year-old was killed in a collision between his dirt bike and a courtesy bus.
Bella, now a councilor for Mackay, posted on Facebook: ‘Perhaps…less apologies could have prevented (the crash)’ and ‘A memorial should be for someone worthy, not someone who has broken the law and another has ruined ‘someone’s life’.
Queensland Origin legend turned politician Martin Bella (pictured, second from left) has been urged to read the room following a Facebook post about the death of a Mackay teen last year
The 59-year-old Bella, who played 21 times for the Maroons between 1987 and 1994, will also have to undergo social media training.
It follows a post from Bella regarding a skatepark mural in Eimeo that surfaced following the death of William Baker (pictured) in a road accident on May 28 last year
The rugby league journeyman, who represented North Sydney, Manly, Canterbury and North Queensland in his playing time, was found to have violated the ‘standards of conduct’ during a council meeting.
Mackay Deputy Mayor Karen May accepted a public statement from Bella acknowledging that his position was “inappropriate.”
“I did what I felt was right in the circumstances – some may see this as a mistake,” the statement read.
“I recognize that my answers may be considered inappropriate, and assure you that you had no intention of harm – only to relieve the pressure I and others were placed on, by performing our duties in a responsible and ethical manner. feed.’
The community had previously rioted after the Council twice painted over a mural paying respect to Baker.
Because the artist did not receive official approval from the council, the mural at the skate park was removed – and numerous council members were then subjected to abuse.
Bella told the Courier Mail he was happy to complete the social media training he was assigned as he is “always willing to pick up a tip or two.”