Cape Melville incident

Though the palm was not endangered, the smugglers caused significant damage to the area by vandalising park gates, trampling undergrowth, felling whole stands of trees, poaching protected wildlife and depleting natural seed banks.

While the police fauna squad and park rangers fought the practice, government agencies such as Southbank Corporation, Cairns Port Authority and TAFE Queensland were among the buyers of the illegally-obtained plants.

[3] Cochran's alleged links to the Government and role in smuggling were examined by the State's anti-corruption watchdog, the Criminal Justice Commission (CJC), as part of its Cape Melville incident inquiry in 1994.

On 10 November 1993, a group of people led by banana farmer Paul Barbagallo and his neighbour, Gordon Uechtritz, camped at Bathurst Bay, near Cape Melville National Park.

Barbagallo was later to admit he had illegally removed seeds from this location on a previous visit, but this time he claimed he was there simply to photograph the palm's habitat.

The National Party opposition, led by Rob Borbidge, questioned why such senior officials had gone to Cooktown to attend the interview, whether improper pressure was placed on public servants, and whether Shears had been dismissed as punishment for upholding the law.

The Opposition criticised this decision, noting Barnes's links to the ruling Labor Party and questioning whether his aim was to spare the government embarrassment.

David Barbagallo became chief of staff to Labor Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, where he was embroiled in a further scandal involving government investment in a company he part-owns.

[7] Pressure on the foxtail palm eased as the number of specimens in nurseries has increased, meaning that seeds need no longer be smuggled from Cape Melville.