‘So ashamed’: Apology from anti-Tate critic

FAILED Gold Coast mayoral candidate Mona Hecke has come under fire from a prominent early supporter of her tilt at the city’s top job.

Ms Hecke, who contested March’s election, has been criticised by former backer Nicolle

Archer for attending a “freedom day” rally in Brisbane protesting against COVID restrictions.

Hundreds marched in Brisbane chanting “free Victoria” and “save the children”, a phrase linked to far-right wing conspiracy theory QAnon.

“I’m so ashamed to give Mona any support during her campaign. I owe you all an apology. I think our city needs a reset but this was not it,” Ms Archer wrote. “I’m sorry everyone. Turns out mayor Tom Tate was most sensible in listening to expert medical advice. I underestimated him.”

Ms Archer said it was “disappointing” to see Ms Hecke “going down a dangerous rabbit hole – I expect public figures who run for office to have more political nous than find themselves aligned with some pretty nasty stuff.”

Ms Hecke was slammed by Mr Tate for holding “antivaxxer” views during the campaign, something she denied.

Ms Hecke said she “didn’t agree with every word spoken” at the rally: “It has become evident the virus can be contained through behavioural change and like the hundreds … who attended, I’m keen to gain a balanced perspective on how society can live safely with COVID. I was proud of my campaign and did my best to offer better ideas and style of leadership for communities across the Gold Coast.”