Steve Jackson, majority of team absent from the ballot drawing ceremony

The taker of the coveted top ballot spot for Mackay’s council election has been decided — but one of the competing teams was largely absent. DETAILS

The three way mayoral race is set to go ahead with Williamson leading the ballot followed by Jackson and Bonaventura. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Council and mayoral hopefuls gathered at the Mackay Showground’s 500 Pavilion to learn who would get the prime spot on the electoral ballot, with one team noticeably underrepresented.

The draw, undertaken by representatives from the Queensland Electoral Commission, determines the order with which candidates are listed in both the mayoral and council races.

The first draw revealed that Greg Williamson would be at the top of the mayoral ballot, followed by Steve Jackson and Laurence Bonaventura.

Incumbent mayor Greg Williamson said, “It’s always nice to be at the top of the ballot”.

“However the position is to an extent irrelevant.

“It’s been my experience that people think about who they vote for.”

Team Williamson would also be well represented at the top of the council ballot, with three of the top five listed council candidates.

“We do the public a disservice by talking about donkey votes,” said Williamson.

“They’ll find you if you’re way down the list.”

Laurence Bonaventura — despite being at the bottom of the ballot — is “not worried at all”.

“Four years ago I was at the bottom, and ended at a very high position compared to other candidates,” he said.

Mackay's council hopefuls gathered to witness the drawing of the ballots. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Steve Jackson, who did not attend the ballot drawing, claimed to be meeting with locals at the time in a post on Facebook.

“We’re more interested in people than politics,” he said.

The only member of Jacko’s Team in attendance was Keith Hicks.

When asked if he knew where Mr Jackson was, he responded, “I couldn’t tell you where he is today,” but said most of the Jackson team run businesses.

When asked about Mr Jackson’s absence, mayoral candidate Laurence Bonaventura indicated that this could represent a “lack of experience” on the part of his team.

“I have nothing against any candidates who don’t show,” said Mr Bonaventura.

“However, being here is the time to meet other candidates and get their perspective on the role.

“I’ve always done that.”

The Mayoral Ballot

• Greg Williamson (Team Greg Williamson)
• Steve Jackson (Jacko’s Team – Mackay First)
• Laurence Bonaventura (Independent)
  
  

The Council Ballot

• Ash-lee Johnson (Team Greg Williamson)
• Neil Wallace (Team Greg Williamson)
• Nathenea MacRae (Jacko’s Team – Mackay First)
• Michelle Green (Team Greg Williamson)
• Namarca Corowa (Jacko’s Team – Mackay First)
• Fran Mann (Independent)
• Peter Sheedy (Independent)
• Belinda Hassan (Independent)
• Pauline Townsend (Independent)
• Keith Hicks (Jacko’s Team – Mackay First)
• Kylee Stanton (Jacko’s Team – Mackay First)
• Peter Freeleagus (Team Greg Williamson)
• George Christensen (Jacko’s Team – Mackay First)
• Lindsay Temple (Jacko’s Team – Mackay First)
• Alison Jones (Independent)
• Kimberly Doyle (Independent)
• Jeffrey Keioskie (Jacko’s Team – Mackay First)
• Stephen Cutting (Team Greg Williamson)
• Joshua Thornton (Team Greg Williamson)
• Russell Seymour (Independent)
• Heath Paton (Jacko’s Team – Mackay First)
• Martin Bella (Independent)
• Les Scott (Independent)
• Karen May (Team Greg Williamson)
• Ian Rowan (Independent)
• Ian Christensen (Jacko’s Team – Mackay First)
• Justin Englert (Independent)
• Melissa Fowler (Jacko’s Team – Mackay First)
• Greg Fisher (Independent)