Isaac council candidate wants your vote, doesn’t want to be identified

A Queensland man running for local council insists he is a ‘private citizen’, and that publishing information on him is an ‘act of bullying’. We disagree, but should they be named? POLL.

Who is the mystery councillor who doesn’t want his professional history published? Picture: iStock

As a local newspaper, one of the most important tasks we have is covering our council elections.

It’s a publicly held position with an immense amount of control over what our communities look like, how they’re built, and how they’re maintained.

And after being honest with a wannabe councillor — telling them as a councillor they will be accountable to the public, including their mobile number being available on the council website — we received an absolutely deranged email insisting we ‘cease or desist’ publishing any information on them, accusing us of bullying.

They insisted we do not write about their qualifications, work history, where they live, or anything they choose to devote their time to.

“You are not permitted to make any statement regarding me,” the email continued.

Their logic was that as a candidate, they are not a public figure, because they do not hold a public office of any kind, so it would be an invasion of their privacy to report on them.

This paper does not agree.

By putting your hand up in an election, you are a public figure, and it is our duty to provide information to our readers that helps them decide who to vote for.

But we’re willing to play nicely. Here’s our write up of the candidate, with all the identifiable information removed, so as to protect their privacy.

Name: ??

Where they’re running: ??

Past experience: ??

Where they’re from: ??

Things they choose to devote their time to: ??

Policies for the community: ??
Why should you vote for them: ??

Interested in reading up on all the other candidates, who are prepared to share what they believe in, and where they’re from?

You can see our Mackay candidates here, and the Whitsundays here.