Qld council elections 2020: Rolling coverage
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner says the outcome of today's election will be 'anyone's guess' with polling booths ghost towns today as voters shunned the election amid coronavirus fears. FOLLOW OUR LIVE UPDATES NOW
IN the words of one political hopeful this morning, today is an election day ‘like no other’.
Polling booths across the state were ghost towns today as fears of the coronavirus spread turned voters away.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said it was anyone’s guess as to whether the coronavirus crisis would impact today’s vote.
FOLLOW OUR ROLLING COVERAGE BELOW
“I believe this election could be very close, there are some strange trends going on with certain people not turning up and others turning up so it is anyone’s guess how that could impact on the vote,” he said.
“But the reality is, given these circumstances, there is a real risk that Patrick Condren could be Lord Mayor tomorrow.”
Condren says he believes it will be a couple of days until there is a "definitive result" in the council race.
The Labor lord mayoral candidate said he was "hopeful" there would be an indication about who was likely to win tonight.
"Nobody could have foreseen this six months ago when I stuck up my hand to be Brisbane's lord mayor," he said.
"I really expected to be out in the booths today, saying hello to people, eating one million democracy sausages in an effort to garner a few extra votes.
"I've been on the phones this morning urging people to get out to vote.
"If things look like it's gone my way tonight, I will be ready to go in and start work first thing tomorrow morning.
"I think (the election result) will be inevitably close in this situation."
FOLLOW OUR ROLLING COVERAGE BELOW
SCHOOL POLLING BOTH CLOSED AFTER TEACHER TESTS POSITIVE
IF YOU DON’T VOTE, EXPECT A FINE
Long-awaited Brisbane Metro buses hit city streets today
It has been plagued by cost blowouts and delays, but the long-awaited Brisbane Metro will finally start operations today, changing the face of public transport in the river city.
‘Cruel’: Opposition slams Brisbane City Council as new fee hits letterboxes
The opposition has slammed the Brisbane City Council as out of touch and “trying to squeeze every dollar out of ratepayers” as the first round of a new fee lands in letterboxes. VOTE IN OUR POLL