Bizarre political stoush over alleged graveyard campaigning at Brisbane cemetery

A bizarre stoush has erupted between Brisbane’s local Liberal and Labor parties following allegations of election campaigning at a cemetery over the weekend. SEE THE FLYER.

Brisbane Lord Mayoral candidates Tracey Price and Adrian Schrinner.

A bizarre stoush has erupted between Brisbane’s local Liberal and Labor parties following allegations of election campaigning at a cemetery over the weekend.

Accusations flew between the two campaign teams after a woman called 4BC radio on Tuesday afternoon, claiming she met a man she suspected was “vote-catching” on behalf of Brisbane Labor at the Pinnaroo Lawn Cemetery in Bridgeman Downs on Saturday.

The caller, who went by the name Eileen, recounted the odd interaction that unfolded while she was visiting her late husband's grave.

“I was approached by a gentlemen … with some paperwork saying (the cemetery) was a disgrace, the grounds hadn’t been maintained since November, the staff had been told to cease mowing,” Eileen said to 4BC host Sofie Formica.

“He was going around handing out paperwork to those that were just having time out with their loved ones.

“Down the bottom, it’s references a Dennis and Tracey … I thought, is this all to do with the election?

“The cemetery is not the place to be doing it.”

LNP campaign spokeswoman for Team Schrinner, Fiona Cunningham quickly accused Brisbane Labor and their Mayoral candidate Tracey Price of harassing residents through handing out election material and campaigning on cemetery grounds.

She demanded Price apologised for the “sickening” alleged vote-canvassing.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner’s team has been quick to level accusations. Picture Lachie Millard

“This is sick. This is disgusting. This is a low act from Labor,” she said.

“People should be allowed to visit their lost loved ones without being harassed by Ms Price and her Labor team.

“Ms Price must immediately and publicly apologise to residents for this incredibly insensitive act.”

Speaking to 4BC just hours later, Tracey Price refuted any claims she was connected to the man’s actions, stating that he was in no way connected to the Labor Party or her campaign.

Ms Price said she was not at Pinnaroo all weekend and the accusations made by the LNP were an “all time new low” that “scream of desperation”.

Labor’s Tracey Price denies the accusations. Picture: Liam Kidston

She went on to explain the man at the cemetery, who’s name was Dennis, had contacted her two weeks ago complaining about the long grass and overall lack of maintenance at the cemetery.

Dennis had informed Ms Price that he had tried to contact Brisbane City Council about the grass issue, claiming he a council staff member told him that the grass had not been cut since November due to budget cuts.

Ms Price said Dennis then “took it upon himself” to create a flyer and speak to gravesite visitors directly.

The flyer resident Dennis was issuing at the Pinnaroo Cemetery on the weekend.

The flyer resident Dennis was issuing at the Pinnaroo Cemetery on the weekend.

“This has been a gentleman who has been absolutely desperate,” Ms Price said.

“I contacted Dennis when I heard this had happened … and asked him to clarify what happened … he provided me with a copy of the flyer

“(There is) no representation of me (on the flyer).

“There is nothing on there (flyer) about Labor.”

The Courier-Mail has seen the flyer created by Dennis which asks interested or affected residents to support his cause by contacting 9News as part of a collaborative story between Dennis, Brisbane Labor and 9News journalist Josh Bavas.

Ms Price released a statement accusing Ms Cunningham, Adrian Schrinner and the LNP of resorting to “gutter politics” and asking them to apologise to her.

“This is desperate and a shocking thing to do,” Ms Price said.

“Councillor Cunningham and Adrian Schrinner should apologise to me immediately.”

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has denied making any budget cuts to cemetery maintenance, explaining the long grass was due to a mowing backlog caused by months of above average rainfall and saturated grounds.