Emotional Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk savours victory
UPDATE: Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has fronted the media this morning, making a pledge as to how he will govern in the wake of yesterday’s landslide victory.
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BRISBANE Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has been returned to office with the greatest majority of any conservative council.
Cr Quirk warned Labor to rethink its “negative campaign tactics”, on the back of an election which saw it potentially be reduced to just five of 26 wards.
The LNP increased its hold on council by one to 19 wards.
“We are ready to go back to work for Brisbane,” Cr Quirk said.
“This is the biggest majority that’s ever been afforded to a non-Labor administration in this city.
“There’s a real message in it for the negative style of campaigning Labor have adopted.”
Cr Quirk said he would govern as if he had a majority of one, despite the massive majority.
He said he would be able to work with Greens councillor, should Jonathan Sri win The Gabba Ward from Labor.
“If we do see a Greens representative that will be another piece of history.”
OVERNIGHT: Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has been returned to City Hall after an incredible comeback election victory.
The 30-year local government veteran bounced from a miserable campaign to clinch a surprisingly resounding win in last night’s poll.
“I’m very humbled by the decision that the people of Brisbane have made,” a beaming Cr Quirk told supporters.
He romped home with more than half the primary vote and a huge 58-42 two-party preferred lead over Labor hopeful Rod Harding.
The LNP also held its grip on control of the council.
But the Greens were hopeful of winning their first seat with Jonathan Sri locked in a tight-three way fight in The Gabba ward and optimistic of Labor preferences getting him over the line.
The result denied the ALP power in City Hall for a fourth consecutive term.
And it will send a wind of caution through the Palaszczuk Government, which had been threatening a snap election following the resignation of Cairns MP Rob Pyne.
A beaming Cr Quirk told his celebration function at the Pullman Hotel that the victory was about “holding the nerve’’, he said.
“It has been a difficult campaign, a campaign with a lot of distractions.
“People have put aside the negative aspects of campaigning and elected a team concerned about the good governance of our city.”
He became emotional as he thanked his wife Anne and three daughters — Sarah, Elizabeth and Charlotte,
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Mr Harding, who conceded defeat shortly before 9pm, described his campaign as “an amazing ride”.
Accompanied by wife Anna, he told supporters at Brothers Grange Community Sports Club, that they had fought until the end.
“The experience has been an amazing ride, I will never forget it,” Mr Harding said.
“This election has certainly achieved one thing, it won’t be business as usual at City Hall anymore.
“While we didn’t have the same war-chest at the LNP, we made up for it with people power.
“Street by street we engaged with the people of Brisbane.”
Mr Quirk had been given a scare during a hard-fought campaign from Mr Harding and polling during the week pointed to the closest election fight in years.
But Mr Harding — dubbed “Rocket Rod’’ by his party — crashed to earth when it mattered — at the ballot box
The LNP retained its strong council majority, with 16 declared seats to Labor’s five. Independent Nicole Johnston easily retained Tennyson, with Doboy and Paddington too close to call. The LNP may pick up Northgate from Labor, while the three-way tussle for The Gabba will come down to the wire.
Local Government Association of Queensland chief executive Greg Hallam said: “It is an affirmation of Graham Quirk’s political strategy and his record over the past four years.’’
The pattern was repeated around the state with mayors returned in eight of Queensland’s largest cities. “People have voted for stable leadership,’’ Mr Hallam said.
“The current mayors learned a lesson from the 2012 rout. They understood how important hip-pocket issues are and that people want stable, good administration.’’
Of the 29 new mayors elected on the night, 15 were replacing retiring leaders.
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