Maryborough MP John Barounis faces backlash over public bench removal

John Barounis, a Liberal National Party MP for Maryborough, Queensland, has faced community backlash following his successful push to remove a public bench from the city's central business district. Barounis stated the removal was an action to improve safety and address concerns raised by local businesses regarding anti-social behaviour.

While some residents supported the move, citing instances of harassment near the bench, others have criticized the decision. Urban planning expert Dr. Natalie Osborne of Griffith University noted that removing public seating can make spaces less accessible for elderly citizens, children, people with disabilities, and the unhoused. She suggested that such measures might discourage people from spending time in the area and signal that certain community members are unwelcome.

Labor housing spokeswoman Meaghan Scanlon argued that addressing homelessness requires funding and support services rather than the removal of public infrastructure. Barounis declined to comment on the criticism.