A political year like no other
Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Gold Coast powered on politically with dramatic elections, rapid falls from grace and a few unexpected wins.
BETWEEN a local council election, a border lockdown and a state government election the Gold Coast has had one of its biggest political years of the decade.
Here’s our 20 biggest moments from the world of Gold Coast politics.
1. 2020 ELECTION: PALASZCZUK WINS BUT LABOR MISSES OUT ON BORDER SEAT
Labor insiders credited Annastacia Palaszczuk’s strong leadership for a surge in party support on the Gold Coast, where it saw a citywide increase of more than 5 per cent. But the uptick in fans wasn’t enough to get it across the line in the city’s border communities.
Ms Palaszczuk’s tough stance on the border saw a drop in support for Currumbin Labor candidate Kaylee Campradt, who ultimately lost to sitting LNP MP Laura Gerber.
2. GOLD COAST MP TAKES ON LNP LEADERSHIP AFTER STUNNING LOSS
“You took us backwards,” was the cry from ardent LNP supporters just hours before former leader Deb Frecklington announced she would step down — having initially indicated she would stay on, to just about everyone’s surprise.
As LNP MPs across the Gold Coast struggled to deal with a stunning decrease in support, eyes turned to ambitious Broadwater MP David Crisafulli, immediately tipped to take her place.
Mr Crisafulli has been met with a wave of confidence since taking on the leadership position, but pandemic recovery is only just beginning and it remains to be seen where he’ll take the party in 2021.
3. MEAGHAN SCANLON TAKES FRONT BENCH AFTER SOCIAL MEDIA ATTACKS
The Gold Coast’s only Labor MP became the target of multiple vile Facebook posts by an LNP volunteer during the election campaign.
After a Bulletin report, the LNP stood down the volunteer, who branded Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon a “slut” and accused her of trading on her brother’s disability to improve her profile.
It was the second time in 2020 Ms Scanlon became the subject of heated attacks, after Gold Coast tobacco tycoon Travers Beynon claimed she must have a “deficiency in lovers” after she criticised his ad for a live-in girlfriend.
But the attacks didn’t stop Ms Scanlon’s incredible election support, boosting her margin by 5 per cent (to 48.26 per cent of the primary vote) and being made Queensland’s youngest ever cabinet minister.
4. TOM TATE WINS, MONA MOANS
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate bagged a third term after the March council election, which also saw four new city councillors elected.
His win drew some choice words from health author and businesswoman Mona Hecke, who many saw as his only legitimate rival.
Ms Hecke thanked her supporters but appeared to take a swipe at the voting public in a social media video.
“I know many of you will be extremely disappointed in seeing some of these percentages coming through because it absolutely is disappointing,” she said.
“Disappointing, staggering, extraordinary.”
5. CHILD SAFETY CRISIS: HOMELESS 12-YEAR-OLD AND TEENS IN TENTS
The Bulletin first covered the shocking story of a 12-year-old homeless girl allowed to walk out of hospital with a serious infection despite being in the care of Child Safety.
The ongoing Child Safety crisis has also seen a group of teens living in a tent outside a department office.
Despite Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk ordering Labor to work with the LNP to reach a bipartisan solution and overhaul the department, talks have continued to devolve throughout the year.
6. GOLD COAST’S BIGGEST SUPPORTERS RESIGN
Tourism Gold Coast chief executive Annaliese Battista and Tourism Minister Kate Jones both stunned the city when they announced their resignations without warning
this year. Ms Battista suddenly left her position after just two years in early August — at the height of the industry’s darkest hour.
Just a few months later in September, Kate Jones shocked politicians, business leaders and residents alike by announcing her own retirement from politics weeks before the 2020 election.
7. CRICHLOW, BAILDON STEP DOWN FROM COUNCIL
City councillors were exhausted and feeling the strain of the incoming election when three of the Gold Coast’s longest serving representatives took to the chamber for the final time. Dawn Crichlow, Gary Baildon and Paul Taylor all retired.
For the lion of Southport, Cr Crichlow, it was the chance for one final roar after 29 years.
“There are many things you can do by working with the
people,” she said. “That’s very important. That’s all I’ve got to say.”
8. HART EXILED TO BACK BENCHES AFTER RABBIT CAMPAIGN
From revelations he had a luxury unit on the light rail route, to his donating $20,000 out of his own pocket to fund his campaign, Burleigh MP Michael Hart was clearly feeling the pressure during the election campaign.
After winning his seat for another term from Labor candidate and former world champion surfer Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew, Mr Hart found himself returned to the back benches.
9. HEY BIG SPENDER: COAST MP CHARGES TAXPAYERS $150K
Gold Coast MP Stuart Robert proved the biggest spender in the Queensland government, charging taxpayers more than
$150,000. Between July and September of 2020 Mr Robert charged $152,793 to print almost half-a-million pamphlets, letters and brochures. He spent $41,580 in a single day to mail them all.
10. STUCKEY’S GHOST HAUNTS ELECTION CAMPAIGN
After her shock resignation due to alleged bullying and mental health struggles, former Currumbin MP Jann Stuckey continued to be a thorn in the LNP’s side. She and husband Dr Richard Stuckey quit the party in March, saying they felt “deceived and disrespected”.
Dr Stuckey then threw his hat in the ring for the October election, a move which pulled further votes away from LNP MP Laura Gerber.
11. NEW SONG FOR GOLD COAST
In one of the year’s more awkward council moments,
Mayor Tom Tate revealed The Gift, a song he wanted to be the city’s new soundtrack.
It was written by none other than city councillor Bob La Castra. Councillors ultimately voted — in a super majority — to dump the song, but it will go down in city history as one of its most bizarre (if brief) chapters.
12. MAX CHRISTMAS GONE — WHAT NEXT FOR GOLD COAST?
The Gold Coast lost one of its biggest advocates with the death of Max Christmas — chippie turned champion surf lifesaver and real estate magnate. The former city councillor passed away in early December, sparking tributes from friends, family and city leaders.
In August he revealed just what he thought was in store for the Gold Coast’s future post-COVID. Now we wait to see if his vision comes true without him.
13. THE 27 GHOST CANDIDATES REVEALED
A total of 27 election candidates — almost a third of the entire pool — became known as the “ghost candidates”. A Bulletin special report revealed the group had no social media, no local presence and did not respond to repeated media requests.
Among them was Tory Jones — a vocal friend of former mayoral candidate Mona Hecke — who would only respond to questions about the Oceanway, World Surfing Reserve and hooning.
She and Ms Hecke later hit out at the Bulletin on Facebook, but did not clarify her position on issues like Child Safety, police numbers or local sports clubs.
14. COUNCIL VOTES TO SAVE BLACK SWAN LAKE
In one of the most spectacular decisions of the year, the fiveyear battle for Black Swan
Lake was finally won. A super majority of councillors backed saving the remaining part of the lake after a marathon debate of more than two hours behind closed doors.
With residents standing and applauding in the gallery, Cr Bob La Castra was left “speechless” after his recommendation the Turf Club save the 20 per cent of the lake left was backed by his fellow councillors.
In the final vote, only Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate voted against.
15. COOMERA CONNECTOR START DATE REVEALED
Come hell or high water, construction of the Coomera Connector will begin in 2021.
Despite less than $13 million being set aside in state budget funding to begin work on the second M1, works are to begin middle of next year.
Almost $2 billion will be spent after 2021 — the government revealed in Estimates cars will first hit the road in 2023.
With council mapping showing traffic in the city’s north up in some places by almost 50 per cent, it can’t come soon enough for commuters.
16. LIGHT RAIL’S PALM BEACH COLLISION
Residents have been left scared to speak out and some of the Gold Coast’s most vicious protesters are attached to this one — no debate has raged more aggressively this year than the Palm Beach light rail fight.
The vocal anti-light rail movement in the suburb believes the route will lead to an increase in crime and a “concrete jungle”.
But it seems it’s them against their neighbours and the rest of the city when it comes to getting the rail through to the airport.
With the city offering a $109,000-$122,000 salary for its stage four principal land use planner, time will tell who is brave enough to take on the job.
17. BOMBSHELL CCC REPORT INTO COUNCIL RELEASED
The state corruption watchdog put the spotlight on Mayor Tom Tate’s relationship with his chief-of-staff Wayne Moran with a bombshell report on city council.
The Crime and Corruption Commission recommended stricter governance around the role and performance of political advisers in local councils.
Areas of concern found in “Operation Yabber” included:
* Failures to declare and properly manage conflicts of interest
* The mayor’s intervention to protect the chief-of-staff from disciplinary action
* The manner and nature of the chief-of-staff with other council officers regarding carrying out council business
18. CRUISE SHIP TERMINAL SINKS AS CABLEWAY SOARS
Two of the city’s biggest pie-inthe-sky projects went in opposite directions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mayor Tom Tate’s pet project, the cruise ship terminal at the Spit, was all but unanimously shot down by councillors, who diverted $1.25 million previously set aside to investigate it — but Cr Tate was adamant it was just being temporarily parked, not scuttled.
Meanwhile city councillors, most likely after the New Year, will get a report on a cableway.
Mudgeeraba MP Ros Bates found, via mailout, 73 per cent of residents in her electorate supported it.
19. CITY PLAN PROTEST LEADS REVISION
City Plan changes were delayed again in October as council attempted to get the right framework on tower heights and light rail development.
It means another round of community consultation to come on one of the Gold Coast’s most divisive issues.
The changes, to
was revealed to cost ratepayers more than $54,000.
But as three respected senior council officers suddenly left and hundreds of residents attended meetings about the changes, there seems to be no simple end in sight.
20. FIRE LEVY: CITY’S FIREYS STRUGGLE AS HORROR FIRE SEASON APPROACHES
The city’s high fire risk is one of the “most significant” issues facing the Coast, a shock letter from Mayor Tom Tate to thenOpposition leader Deb Frecklington revealed in September.
The Bulletin, in an exclusive report, revealed the city was facing a worse fire safety scenario than even the horrific bushfires which hit the hinterland in 2019.
Council could not proceed with its planned stronger fire protection after being told Queensland Fire and Emergency Services would not renew its contract.
A huge fuel load existed in bushland west of the M1. Council was no longer collecting the state fire levy and volunteer fireys were growing desperate. In his letter Mayor Tate said: “The city had a fire on its doorstep in spring and summer. We dodged a bullet and can’t afford to go backwards.”