ALP says Hart conflicted
Calls to step away from light rail decision-making
BURLEIGH MP Michael Hart has been asked to step away from light rail planning because of two perceived conflicts – a property and share in a brewery on potential routes.
Labor has called on the LNP frontbencher to remove himself from his party’s future policy planning on the tram route heading south from Burleigh.
The Government’s favoured route for the trams is south which will pass Mr Hart’s new Palm Beach unit, while the LNP promises to launch a business case to explore a western path to Varsity Lakes that passes close to the MP’s brewery.
Transport Minister Mark Bailey said: “I’m calling on Deb Frecklington to remove Michael Hart from the LNP’s policy decision-making on light rail.
“It’s been publicly reported not only did he buy a multimillion-dollar property which he didn’t declare for more than a year, which sits squarely on the current proposed light rail route, but his Burleigh brewery is a stone’s throw from the LNP’s proposed light rail route.
“This is another example of how the LNP can’t be trusted to manage public transport on the Gold Coast, in the interest of all Gold Coasters.
“Based on the public reporting, it’s clear the business Michael Hart owns could benefit significantly if the light rail goes past that brewery.”
Mr Hart responded, saying: “My business and property interests have been fully declared. I am proud to be a business owner, that employs locals and proud to call Palm Beach home with my wife.
“The alternative would be not investing in Queensland and not living in the electorate.
“The Labor party have attacked me numerous times about part-owning a business in Burleigh and living in the electorate. This shows how out of touch they are.
“When my interests have changed I have sought advice from Clerk of the Parliament and the Integrity Commissioner and I have always acted in accordance with that advice.
“It’s clear Labor doesn’t have a plan for heavy rail to the airport and are more interested in mud throwing than construction and jobs.”
Mr Bailey said the LNP would be treating Gold Coasters with contempt if it continued to ignore these public reports of conflicts of interest with his personal investments.
“They continue to take the Gold Coast for granted, after committing zero new dollars to upgrade the M1, cutting the Coomera Connector from planning, and crowing about cutting $1.6 billion from the road and transport budget when Ms Frecklington was Campbell Newman’s Assistant Minister. What Burleigh needs is strong, effective and honest representation and leadership,” he said.
Saturday’s Bulletin revealed Mr Hart, fighting to stop light rail heading south creating more high rise along the Gold Coast, owns and lives in a $1million high-rise Palm Beach apartment on the tram route.
Property searches show Mr Hart and wife Sally-Anne bought an apartment for $1,108,000 in August 2018.
He later went on social media to claim it’s “no secret” where he lives: “Disappointing gutter politics from the Labor Party today aided by the local paper.”
The experienced LNP MP and frontbencher has led the battle and been cast as the political hero against light rail by backing petitions to the Parliament by the anti-tram protest group headed by Karen Rowles.
Group supporters are being asked to back Mr Hart in a tough battle against Labor candidate and surfing legend Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew” who supports the ALP’s policy of the trams heading south through Palm Beach to the Gold Coast Airport.