Keep it civil

The heat is on, both out in the sun and on the local government campaign trail

Just eight days remain until polls close and we know who the winners of this year’s Gold Coast City Council election are. For some candidates, it’s been a long race, with the events of this week and next the culmination of at up to a year of campaigning and work. For others it’s the time for a last-minute charm offensive.

Either way, the two weeks of pre-poll voting is when the pressure of the campaign and the reality of the situation really hits home.

For those who face tight races, the potential for the massive investment of time and money amounting to nothing hits like a sledgehammer, while others are far more philosophical or relaxed about their prospects.

Tempers fray, paranoia and fear hits home, as does the impact of dealing with a frequently hostile public at booths. It takes courage to run for political office and anyone who does it deserves respect for having a go and putting themselves on the line.

But with that said, we have seen poor behaviour popping up throughout the campaign which will naturally raise concerns from some voters about the suitability of candidates for office.

Just last week we saw mayoral aspirant Danielle Dunsmore flip the bird on stage during a candidate debate. It was her response when unable to answer a question about her views on Olympics infrastructure, prompting editor Ryan Keen to remark “strong finish”. This week Samantha Delmege, who is hoping to defeat incumbent Southport councillor Brooke Patterson obstructed a Bulletin reporter’s mobile phone whilst filming at a polling booth by covering it with her campaign material and saying “go away”. Ms Delmege was being confronted by an irate voter at the time over signage placements.

Just hours earlier and only a short distance away, Mayor Tom Tate remained calm as he was heckled giving a press conference. Mr Tate ignored the man initially before pausing his interview and telling the man he would speak to him later if he would stop interjecting. How one conducts themselves in public while under pressure on the campaign trail is important because it will give voters pause in how that person will perform in office.