Jack Dempsey’s letter to Bundaberg council, Keith Pitt calls for his resignation

As he eyes the federal seat held by Keith Pitt, Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey’s letter to his council colleagues has been revealed. It comes as his LNP rival calls for his resignation.

A letter sent by the Bundaberg Mayor to his council colleagues this week reveals he will take leave until after the federal election and sets out why he wants to be federal member for Hinkler.

The letter – viewed by the Fraser Coast Chronicle after Jack Dempsey’s long-rumoured tilt at the federal seat as an Independent candidate was confirmed on Thursday night – advises he will take leave until the election is called.

“If successful, I’ll resign as Mayor when the poll is declared,” the letter states

“If that occurs, I hope to see you all at the appropriate time to express my personal thanks.

“If I’m unsuccessful, I’ll return to mayoral duties when the result is known.”

The letter was released exclusively to the Fraser Coast Chronicle as a pre-emptive strike against inevitable criticism about council conflicts.

It proved timely when Hinkler MP Keith Pitt, whose rivalry with the Bundaberg mayor was well established before recent events, said on Friday Mr Dempsey should not wait until the election to resign from his current Local Government role.

“The Bundaberg ratepayers are entitled to ask for the mayor’s resignation, it’s very clear that he hasn’t been interested in them for quite some time,” Mr Pitt said in a statement.

“He’s been relentlessly pursing a Federal agenda for many months.

“Who is paying for the Mayor’s campaign? Has the Mayor handed back his ratepayer-funded car and phone? Are council staff assisting on the Mayor’s campaign? Who will his preferences go to?”

In response, Mr Dempsey questioned whether Mr Pitt still had access to government-funded jets and chauffeur driven cars and the influence of the coal industry on his campaign.

“If there’s a hung parliament, I’ll negotiate first with the largest party and support them on confidence and supply if they endorse my key policies,” Mr Dempsey said

‘I’ll outline those closer to the election, but they will include flood mitigation for Bundaberg, water security for Hervey Bay and action on climate change.”

On preferences, he said he wouldn’t be doing deals and would instead be asking voters to put him as number one and leaving the order after that up to them.

Asked about whether any campaign staff, including his council Chief of Staff Michael Gorey, had also taken leave from their roles in the lead up to the election, Mr Dempsey said he was lucky people wanted to “volunteer” their time to help and was confident everything was above board and compliant with Local Government rules.

He said Mr Pitt had a “bucket load of funding to throw at the campaign”, 30-plus staff and he, in comparison, needed people who were prepared to give their time if he was going to win what was considered a ‘safe’ LNP seat – something he acknowledged “be a hell of a task to achieve”.

Mr Pitt said in a statement if the LNP did not win seats like his, Australia would be run by a Labor Government.

“Independents are voices of the Labor Party, they don’t vote with us, they’re not members of the Government, they’re not members of the opposition, they can’t deliver anything that matters …” his statement read.

“The independents currently in parliament vote with Labor and if we don’t hold this seat you will get a Labor Government under Anthony Albanese and the Bundaberg Mayor would fit right in …

“He was for the Cashless Debit Card, now he’s against the Cashless Debit Card.

“Everyone knows my very strong support for the Cashless Debit Card, it is a tough but necessary policy that ensures kids are being fed and have the essentials they need.”

According to Mr Dempsey’s letter, he was running as an independent to deliver positive change for Bundaberg and the Fraser Coast.

“I’m standing as an independent candidate because it’s time for positive change,” his letter read.

“There needs to be a vision for the Bundaberg and Fraser Coast regions to meet the social challenges we’ve been facing for decades and to seize the opportunities that exist in technology, advanced manufacturing, the circular economy and tourism.

“There also needs to be a priority focus to address the housing crisis, care for the elderly, nurture our youth and promote economic development.

“I believe the current Federal Member has failed to effectively represent the electorate.

“If I’m successful, I’ll be the Member for Hinkler, not the Member against Hinkler, as Mr Pitt has been on marriage equality, flood mitigation, climate change, hospital and highway upgrades, and the cashless card.”

Mr Pitt said he stood by his performance record.

“There has been millions of dollars invested into local roads, tens of millions on the Bruce Highway, the palliative care facility in Hervey Bay, the Royal Flying Doctor Service flight training facility worth $20 million and we have an unemployment rate in the Wide Bay Sunshine Coast of 5.3 per cent …” he said in a statement.

“I have continually asked the State Government to provide accurate costings, more information and show community support for the proposed flood levee in Bundaberg and that has not happened.”

In his letter, Mr Dempsey addressed flood mitigation for Bundaberg, and said Mr Pitt undermined the notion.

“He has actively undermined flood mitigation for Bundaberg, putting lives and property at risk,” Mr Dempsey’s letter read.

“Mr Pitt needs to be challenged on these and other issues or our region will continue to suffer the highest levels of disadvantage in Australia.”

See the Chronicle website and Courier Mail print on Tuesday for an in-depth interview on Mr Dempsey’s pitch for Hinkler and his pledge to Hervey Bay. *Please note, an earlier version of this story promoted this for Monday morning but publication was delayed amid Federal Election announcement coverage.