New Capalaba MP Russell Field pays tribute to victims of crime in maiden speech to Qld parliament

Newly elected Capalaba MP Russell Field has used his first speech in parliament to remember his son, daughter-in-law and unborn grandson who were killed when a juvenile driver fatally struck them.

In 2021, Mr Field’s son Matthew and daughter-in-law Kate Leadbetter, who was pregnant with their unborn child Miles, died following a shocking Australia Day crash when they were struck by a stolen car.

The 17-year-old driver in the crash was later sentenced to six years in prison.

The horrific event was a catalyst for Mr Field’s advocacy for victims of crime that ultimately led him to winning the seat of Capalaba in the Queensland state election in October.

Marking his first speech in parliament, Mr Field used the historic opportunity to remember his family who are no longer with him.

“My beloved son Matthew Field, his loved partner Kate Leadbetter and the treasured unborn baby, my grandson Miles,” Mr Field said.

“On Miles, I’d like this house to know that despite an autopsy, a death certificate and a funeral, Queensland Justice did not recognise his life or his death.

“He was not classified as a statistic on that day, we know he was and he needs to be acknowledged.”

Mr Field said his son and daughter-in-law were “the perfect match for each other” and it was in their honour, and their unborn son’s memory, that he chose to carry on.

“None of us met Miles but he lives in my heart and (my wife) Ann’s too,” he said.

“I can see him in my mind’s eye, he sustained me and we’ll meet one day.”

Mr Field also took the opportunity to remember others who died as a result of alleged youth crime offending, including Emma Lovell and Vyleen White.

During the emotional speech, Mr Field thanked those who had supported him during the election and confirmed he was determined to represent everyone fairly.

“I stand with victims, I believe in justice, I’m here in the body of lawmakers because lawlessness can never be accepted as normal,” he said.

“I dedicated not just what I say today but everyday … politics is not a game to me, it’s real life.

“The consequence of what we do really does matter.”

The former builder confessed in parliament that he was about to start his “second apprenticeship” but was ready to “make life better for others”.

“I’m one of the most unlikely member of parliament to sit in this chamber, I’m 69,” Mr Field jokingly said during his speech.

“I only had one suit which I dusted off for weddings

“My recent occupation was retired and I was pretty good at that.“If you’d have approach me on my 65th birthday and offered me the choice of a Powerball ticket or the odds of becoming a member of parliament, I would have picked the Powerball ticket because there was more chance of that happening, but life took a turn.

“A turn that most Queenslanders will never know, but when my life turned I remember the example of my mum and dad who when facing adversity simply made the best of the cards that they had played.”

Mr Field also paid tribute to his eldest son, Andrew, who died from brain cancer in June 2024.

“There is sadness, there is grief, but there’s love too and I’ve been carried by the love of my family, by the strangers I’ve met and by the people across the community and politics and Queenslanders who have shared their kindness and supported me,” Mr Field said.

“My job is to leave a legacy for Matt, Kate and Miles and in a different way, Andrew.

“My job is to not let them down and to not let the good people of Capalaba down either and I promise you that.”

Mr Field previously told media that he decided to run for parliament after he was left disappointed by the Labor government’s stance on youth crime and former Capalaba MP Don Brown’s statements about youth justice.

“He and I disagreed on the direction of Queensland, but I learned in the campaign and the handover he was a sort of decent man and I wish him well in the future,” Mr Field said of Mr Brown.