Brisbane Mayor Adrian Schrinner fires up over suggestion deputy Krista Adams was ‘pushed’ out

Adrian Schrinner has fired back at suggestion former deputy mayor Krista Adams was “pushed” out after courting controversy on multiple occasions, in a fiery first council meeting.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner with Krista Adams in January. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Former deputy mayor Krista Adams “took one for the team” and stepped down as part of the LNP dominated Brisbane City Council’s renewal, the Lord Mayor has told a fiery meeting.

Adrian Schrinner made the comment after Labor Opposition Leader Jared Cassidy stormed out of the first council meeting of the year and his colleague Emily Kim questioned if Ms Adams was pushed.

Jared Cassidy stormed out of the meeting. Picture: File photo/Liam Kidston

Ms Kim accused the former deputy mayor of attending the Paris Olympics at ratepayers’ expense despite “never having the intention to continue”.

She said Ms Adams had courted controversy by calling Mr Cassidy a “groin rub” during a meeting last year and told an Opposition councillor to “shut up”.

Mr Schrinner responded that the comments were unworthy of Ms Kim.

“That’s not the Councillor Kim I know,” he said.

“The Opposition Leader has sent the most junior member of his team to ask his stupid, grubby question.”

Emily Kim questioned if Ms Adams was pushed out. Picture: File photo/Nigel Hallett

Mr Schrinner told the meeting he would defend his former deputy with his dying breath.

“Councillor Adams was an incredible team player who did not have to step down as deputy mayor,” he said.

“She could have continued in her role. She had the support of her colleagues but chose to be a team player and has chosen to give someone else a go.”

The LNP party room last Friday voted in finance chair and rising star Fiona Cunningham as the city’s new deputy.

Mr Schrinner revealed at Tuesday’s meeting that Ms Adams would no longer attend a trip to Japan in April to visit Brisbane’s sister city Kobe, and that he would offer the trip to Ms Cunningham.

An LNP spokesperson last week ruled out Ms Adams running for federal office at this year’s election “in any capacity”.

Mr Schrinner said “when you know, you know” and said it was common to make such decisions over the Christmas break when there was time to reflect.

He said it was a very rare move in politics as incumbents often tried to hang on long after they should.

Ms Adams served under three lord mayors and her mother also served as a councillor in her Holland Park ward.

The council chamber erupted into applause before transport chair Ryan Murphy, who was the only other serious contender for the deputy role, praised Ms Cunningham for her “calmness and compassion for those around her”.

“I know she will be great for Brisbane,” he said.

Ms Adams said she would not respond to the criticisms, including a Labor jibe about “lobster lunches”.

“I’ve loved every minute as deputy mayor. So few politicians get to choose when they leave,” she said.

“Thanks for having trust in me.”

Independent Councillor Nicole Johnston told the meeting Ms Adams should have stepped down earlier and had “botched” all of the many roles she had taken on, especially the finance committee.

“No other councillor is so well travelled on overseas junkets than councillor Adams,” she said.

“I think her first was inspecting fairy lights in Japan.”