Police ‘remain at risk’ from digital black spots unless Wieambilla deaths spark change

12 hours ago 6

By Rex Martinich

November 22, 2025 — 6.44pm

Coronial findings into the deadly Wieambilla shootings show police will continue to be under-resourced and at risk from radio and internet black spots unless changes are made, a union chief says.

The shootings on December 12, 2022, claimed six lives, including two police officers, and were the subject of a five-week coronial inquest in 2024.

Queensland Coroner Terry Ryan on Friday handed down findings across nine issues related to the shootings and made 10 recommendations.

The families of Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold, led by Judy McCrow, outside Brisbane Magistrates Court after State Coroner Terry Ryan handed down his findings into the Wieambilla ambush.

Acting police union president Andy Williams said police were at risk from issues that had been known about since the day of the shootings.

“There is certainly a risk to police that they cannot use their radios to call for help, that they cannot use their iPads to read intelligence information out in the field,” he said.

Vital changes around social media monitoring for violent extremism, and drones for police tactical surveillance could get bogged down in bureaucracy, Williams said.

“The coroner has identified gaps in resourcing,” he said.

“The government needs to fund that resourcing, and the police service needs to move quickly with one person to be held accountable for the implementation of these recommendations.”

Brothers Nathaniel, 46, and Gareth Train, 47, used high-powered rifles to gun down constables Matthew Arnold, 26, and Rachel McCrow, 29, at a rural property west of Brisbane.

They joined Gareth Train’s wife, Stacey, 45, to also fatally shoot 58-year-old neighbour Alan Dare.

Constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold were shot dead during the ambush in Wieambilla.

The Arnold and McCrow families had wanted Queensland Police to consider satellite-based communications due to the radio “black spot” over rural areas such as Wieambilla, but Ryan did not recommend this action.

It was time to get police radio black spots fixed, Williams said.

“It is outrageous to me, in 2025, you can be out in a cruise ship 300 nautical miles from shore and get reliable internet, but you can’t get reliable communications in a radio black spot in Queensland,” he said.

Queensland Police would reflect on Ryan’s findings and recommendations, a spokesperson said.

“Recognising the gravity of the events, Queensland Police will take the time to carefully review and consider the findings thoughtfully and respectfully in their entirety,” the spokesperson said.

AAP