Queensland Health Minister Orders Probe Into Treatment of Man Charged in Childers Attacks

Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls has ordered an internal investigation into the care provided to a man later charged in a violent incident in Childers. Richard Zoltan Babos, 36, was discharged from Caboolture Hospital emergency department on the evening of May 25 after police brought him there under an emergency examination authority.

He is accused of killing 78-year-old Lawrence Elliott with a metal pole and assaulting two other men later that day.

Nicholls directed the department's director-general and chief psychiatrist to examine whether all appropriate clinical and legislative steps were followed. The ABC reported that Babos had prior contact with Queensland health services. Police allege Babos reversed into vehicles on North Street in Childers and on the Bruce Highway at Glenorchy before the fatal attack on Whitebridge Road in North Isis.

None of the victims were known to him.

Babos appeared in Gladstone Magistrates Court on May 28.

His case was adjourned to a hearing scheduled for August 25 in Bundaberg Magistrates Court. The minister stated the review aims to confirm compliance with required procedures following the incident.