Qld election 2020: Green candidate John Meyer disendorsed
The Greens have dropped a candidate in one of the key Brisbane seats they’re targeting this state election, after his alleged conduct towards two women. But the disendorsed candidate hit back late on Tuesday night, saying he considered it a “smear” by the party.
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The Greens have dropped a candidate in one of the key seats they’re targeting this state election, after claims that he threatened and intimidated two women.
In a move that will shock party volunteers just two months before polling day, John Meyer has been disendorsed as the Greens candidate for Clayfield in Brisbane’s inner north.
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Queensland Greens convener Penny Allman-Payne said a new candidate would be selected following claims of concerning behaviour involving Mr Meyer.
“The Queensland Greens have tonight disendorsed John Meyer following several recent incidents involving (alleged) threats made in an attempt to demand more resources for his campaign,” Ms Allman-Payne said.
“Of particular concern was his behaviour towards two women in the party.
“The Queensland Greens take a zero-tolerance approach to the making of threats and intimidation.”
There is no suggestion Mr Meyer’s actions were criminal.
Ms Allman-Payne said Mr Meyer’s alleged behaviour, while out of character, was not in keeping with the Greens’ code of conduct and not becoming of a Greens candidate.
“We are deeply disappointed in his conduct, and understand that it may come as a shock to volunteers and community members who have assisted in the campaign,” Ms Allman-Payne said.
“There is no excuse for this behaviour, and it is vitally important that campaign volunteers feel safe and supported like they would in any other workplace.”
Mr Meyer, who recently quit as an electoral officer for Maiwar MP Michael Berkman, said he totally refuted the claims and said he had been provided with no detail on what the allegations relate to.
“I haven’t made any threats or intimated any women and consider this a smear by the Queensland Greens on me,” he said.
Mr Meyer said he had reported several concerns around the managment of the political party to the Crime and Corruption Commission, the Australian Taxation Office and the Office of Liquor and Gaming.
A statement late Tuesday night from the Greens said the party wished to make it abundantly clear there was no suggestion of sexual assault or harassment.
The Greens have nominated Clayfield, held by former LNP leader Tim Nicholls, as one of a handful on their hit list for this October 31 election, buoyed by the results of the Brisbane City Council elections earlier this year.