Graham Quirk says LNP would put One Nation last at council election

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has promised that the LNP will put One Nation last on the ballot paper if the party runs candidates in the 2020 council election.

BRISBANE Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has promised that the LNP will put One Nation last on the ballot paper if the party runs candidates in the 2020 council election.

When pressed about the matter at a Council meeting today, Cr Quirk said he had never been a supporter of One Nation.

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“If we are forced into a compulsory preferential situation where we have to issue a preference for every party, I would be absolutely recommending that One Nation go last,” he said.

“I’m always very hesitant to answer what are hypothetical questions, but for absolute clarity sake I just want to put that on the record.”

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk. Picture: Nigel Hallett

The Lord Mayor also took a swipe at proposed changes to local government elections, particularly the introduction of compulsory preferential voting, which would make voters number every box on the ballot.

Cr Quirk pointed out that it was currently only an option to allow your vote to flow onto One Nation, but this would change under the proposed reforms.

He said it was unlikely though that One Nation would run candidates in next year’s election, scheduled to be held in March.

“That would be a best all round outcome, because quite frankly we don’t want their entry into Brisbane City Council elections,” he said.

“This city council is one which is very inviting in terms of people from around the globe that make this city their home,” he said.

“We are an inclusive council.”