The Gold Coast Bulletin

Ciobo, Watt in Coast face-off

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LNP Federal Minister Steve Ciobo is attacking Labor’s selfprocla­imed Gold Coast senator Murray Watt for being a “blow-in” who is not truly committed to the city.

But Brisbane-based Federal senator Mr Watt, who has been paying for a branch office in Southport for months, shot back saying Mr Ciobo was “thin-skinned” and afraid of competitio­n on his patch.

In a Facebook video, Mr Ciobo – standing outside Mr Watt’s Mt Gravatt office – said he kept saying he was Gold Coast-based and a symbol of Labor’s commitment to the city but was not given his office was in a Brisbane suburb.

The clip then shows Mr Ciobo outside Mr Watt’s Gold Coast bolthole on Nerang Street with no sign on the door and locked up during business hours Friday.

“C’mon Senator Watt, be honest with the people of the Gold Coast – you are Brisbane- based, Brisbane-focused, that’s what Labor’s always been about.”

Mr Watt said he was paying $1100 a month out of his own pocket for his Southport presence, sick of waiting for Federal Government’s promised commitment to fund a Gold Coast space for him.

Mr Watt said he was stunned the Federal Tourism Minister had time for Facebook videos attacking him.

“It seems our thin-skinned LNP MPs don’t like it when Labor points out how they are failing our state. Feel free to drop in and see me on the Coast next week Steve. You know where to find me.”

 ??  ?? The LNP’s Steve Ciobo (left) and Labor’s Murray Watt.
The LNP’s Steve Ciobo (left) and Labor’s Murray Watt.

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