Queensland teenager charged over bus assault

A 16-year-old boy has been charged after an elderly man was punched multiple times in the face during an argument on a Gold Coast bus.

The man, 71, was hospitalised with facial injuries following the incident which occurred at Palm Beach just before midnight on Saturday night.

Police say the man was travelling from Tweed Heads to Southport when a group of male teenagers boarded the bus and one started smoking.

An argument started when the man asked the smoker to stop, before the 16-year-old allegedly punched the victim several times in the head and face.

Gold Coast detectives on Monday charged the 16-year-old with grievous bodily harm and he will be dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act.