Qld premier 'concerned' by brutality claim

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says reports a man was assaulted by police are concerning if true and has signalled a possible investigation.

Police signage

Queensland's premier is concerned over reports a man was assaulted by Gold Coast police. (AAP)

Queensland's premier says she's concerned over reports a man was assaulted by Gold Coast police and has foreshadowed a possible investigation.

Video footage obtained by The Courier-Mail appears to show 50-year-old Ray Currier being punched in the head and knocked unconscious while being restrained by five officers outside a Gold Coast nightclub in January.

"If that has happened I am very concerned about it and I'm more than happy to have discussions with my director-general about making sure that matter is investigated," Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told reporters on Saturday.

The newspaper reports that Mr Currier had been dining with colleagues at the Surfers Paradise venue before the incident.

Police were called when Mr Currier's colleague was refused re-entry to the club.

Tensions escalated, and Mr Currier said he was trying to move his colleagues and their wives away from the area when the alleged brutality occurred.

He did not make a complaint for fear of losing his job with Queensland's Department of Justice.

Ms Palaszczuk said on Saturday she had not heard of his claims and needed to investigate further.

But she backed Police Commissioner Ian Stewart, who has been criticised for a perceived lack of action over a 2012 police brutality case on the Gold Coast.

In that incident, despite footage emerging of officers bashing a handcuffed man, the only policeman charged was the one who allegedly leaked the video.

"I fully support the police commissioner, but we want to make sure that the police are acting in the best interests of all of Queensland," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"If there are any issues, then its a matter for the ethical standards bureau to investigate it, or the Crime and Corruption Commission."


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Source: AAP


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