QLD:Man pursues charges against Brunker

AAP General News (Australia)
08-18-2010
QLD:Man pursues charges against Brunker

By Petrina Berry

BRISBANE, Aug 18 AAP - A man who claims he was punched by a Labor candidate in a marginal
Queensland seat has lodged an official complaint with police.

Bowen Turf Club president Cyril Vains lodged the complaint against Labor's Dawson candidate
Mike Brunker on Wednesday, a day after claiming the party pressured him to hold off on
police action.

Mr Vains claims Mr Brunker, the mayor of the Whitsunday Regional Council, struck him
in the face at the weekend and hopes the candidate will be charged with assault.

Mr Brunker has admitted having a tussle with the 68-year-old on Saturday over campaign
boards being displayed at the race track's car park and entrance.

Mr Vains told AAP he had signed a statement at the Bowen police station on Wednesday
and the issue was now in the hands of officers.

"I'm hoping they will charge him with assault," he said.

Mr Vains, who says he's been a member of the ALP's Bowen branch for 37 years, also
wants the party to dump Mr Brunker as a candidate.

Mr Brunker said he had not heard anything from police yet.

"I don't know if he has (lodged an official complaint). He's been threatening to do
so all week," Mr Brunker told AAP.

"He has a personal vendetta against me and wants to keep this issue in the media, but
I bet come Saturday (election day) he'll drop the issue."

Mr Brunker said he was king hit by Mr Vains and he had reliable witnesses, including
deputy mayor Rogin Taylor and a church minister, to back up his version of events.

He said that after the election he might pursue charges against Mr Vains.

Comment has been sought from the ALP.

AAP peb/tnf/mp

KEYWORD: POLL10 BRUNKER

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