Candidates outline the high (and low) price of politics
SOME Gold Coast election candidates are spending as little as $400 on their campaign – while others fork out $20,000 from their own pocket in a bid to secure a seat.
Campaign strategists and candidates admit it could cost as much as $50,000 to have a chance of becoming an MP.
The Bulletin asked every candidate across the city to detail their spending.
Burleigh MP Michael Hart confirmed a $20,000 personal donation he made to the LNP during a Bulletin election forum this month.
The Bulletin revealed Electoral Commission records showing Mr Hart donated the money to the party on October 16. In 2016, he donated just $1500.
He admitted during questioning at the forum that he donated the funds to “communicate more with (his) electorate”.
Following the 2016 local government elections and reporting by the Bulletin, the CCC undertook an investigation leading to Operation Belcarra and key recommendations about election donations.
The government later backed a recommendation that donations from property developers would be banned at both the state and local government elections.
This is the first Queensland poll where the new rules apply.
Mermaid Beach Labor candidate Dr Carl Ungerer accused his LNP opponent MP Ray Stevens of spending more out of fear of losing his seat.
“We have devoted lots of resources to this campaign, not the least of which are the dozen or so volunteers who have been working full time to support my campaign,” Dr Ungerer said.
Coomera independent candidate Kris Bourbon said funding had been one of “the biggest restrictions” he had faced during the campaign.
“Due to myself not having a lot of it to spare at this time, I would say I have spent not much over $400,” he said.
“On top of that it is a bit hard to work out just how much exactly (I have spent) on fuel, the kilometres travelled back and forth speaking and meeting with people, arranging signs, etc.”