Search for candidates with ‘skills’

TOWNSVILLE mayoral hopeful Greg Dowling will have to look elsewhere to find members for his team, with independent council candidates standing firm as lone rangers.

Former federal candidate for Clive Palmer’s political outfit Mr Dowling announced his tilt for the top job in Walker St yesterday and put a call out to people with “real life skills” to join his team.

But the handful of council hopefuls outside of Team Jenny Hill are clutching firmly to their independent status, with none willing to join a bloc.

Mayoral contender Sam Cox said he had not been in discussions with Mr Dowling yet about preferences, but said voters should put Cr Hill last on the ballot paper.

Ryan Catholic College teacher and Division 6 candidate Corey Davis said there was “no room for party politics” in council chambers.

“So I won’t be joining Greg’s or any other mayoral candidate’s team,” he said.

“The council chambers is in dire need of independent voices pushing for what’s best without hidden agendas.”

Division 2 candidate Sue Blom said she could not join a team as the community had made it clear to her that they were not supportive of the idea. Another former councillor seeking re-election, Trevor Roberts, said he had clearly stated he was an independent and frankly didn’t want to be part of a team.

Mr Dowling said he wanted people with “real life skills” who weren’t career politicians to join his team in his bid. He said he had spoken to some people and details of his teammates, if any, would be announced in the next few weeks.