Breakfast crowd hears new Langbroek challenger dine out on COVID

A SECOND challenger to Surfers Paradise LNP MP John-Paul Langbroek has emerged in the form of a coronavirus restriction protester.

Mr Langbroek was one of two Coast MPs absent from a candidate’s breakfast hosted on Thursday by the Central Chamber of Commerce.

The Bulletin on Wednesday revealed The Greens were standing former farmer Nelson Quinn in the electorate, making him Mr Langbroek’s first challenger.

They have been joined by Reset Australian Party founder Arjay Martin.

In May, a magistrate took just 10 minutes to deny Mr Martin’s request for a protest licence over the COVID-19 restrictions in Surfers Paradise.

Addressing the business community at the convention centre, he said: “I would have already been practising law if it wasn’t for this illegal, irrational and unlawful COVID lockdown.

“The lockdown itself has destroyed the economy in

Queensland, elsewhere.”

He went on to reference several largely disproved coronavirus and vaccination conspiracy theories, earning a number of scoffs and groans from audience members.

Mr Langbroek and Broadwater MP David Crisafulli were unable to attend and sent their apologies.

Australia and

The Bulletin tried to contact Mr Langbroek for comment.

The Greens candidate Mr Quinn also spoke at the breakfast.

“My association with the Gold Coast goes back to the 1960s, which probably gives me some kind of age record here,” the grandfather joked.

“The COVID-19 crisis has exposed the many problems our governments have failed to cope with.

“Examples abound, precarious employment, overdependence on tourism and hospitality, homelessness and domestic violence.

“We have an unexpected and unparalleled opportunity to build a better future as we climb back from the crisis.”