Rockhampton set for second by-election, as Pineapple hangs it up

Pineapple Hooper has called it a day and Rockhampton is set for a second by-election in under a year, with councillor Tony Williams elected Mayor today.

Rockhampton by-election favourite Chris “Pineapple” Hooper and his “flash” campaign vehicle. Picture: supplied

THE QUEST to keep “accidental mayor” Pineapple Hooper from office could cost ratepayers more than half a million dollars, with Rockhampton now set for its second by-election in under a year.

The record-setting Rockhampton mayoral by-election was sparked by a series of legislative reforms rushed through to prevent the resignation of long-time mayor Margaret Strelow from delivering the top job to activist Chris “Pineapple” Hooper.

But, with councillor Tony Williams claiming Mayoralty yesterday, the division three (Div 3) Rockhampton residents he had represented will be forced back to the polls to choose a replacement for Mr Williams, who ran unopposed for Div 3 in the 2020 council election.

Rockhampton Regional Council mayor Tony Williams after the ECQ declared his election victory.

The Courier Mail understands Rockhampton’s mayoral by-election alone was estimated to cost $460,000 – with the yet-to-be-determined cost of the Div 3 by-election to come on top of that.

The mayoral by-election – which attracted 17 candidates – was the largest in Queensland history and came as long-time Rockhampton Mayor Margaret Strelow resigned from office amid misconduct findings.

It was triggered by legislative reforms late last year where the Palaszczuk government amended its own laws, just months after they were passed, to require all mayoral vacancies to be resolved through by-elections.

Without the reforms, Mayoralty would have passed to Ms Strelow’s only opponent in the 2020 election: the barefoot, bike-riding, Adani protester “Pineapple” Hooper.

Chris ‘Pineapple’ Hooper outside his East Street Shop on 23 November 2020. Picture: The Australian/Steve Vit

Mr Hooper – who ran unsuccessfully in the latest mayoral by-election – yesterday laid his handpainted campaign signs to rest, saying he would not contest the Div 3 by-election in the hopes a younger, progressive candidate will take his place.

“People are saying I’ve got a platform to work outside politics now too with a bit more credibility … a lot of people appreciated what I was talking about,” he said.

“It could be the push … that could carry that momentum through.”

Mr Williams – a 16-year council stalwart – was sworn in as mayor yesterday, with a 24.81 per cent primary vote – less than the 30.91 per cent primary vote Mr Hooper received in the March 2020 election.

The new mayor said he was “privileged” to assume the position and was “firmly focused on getting down to business … to drive our entire region forward.

“I’ve been in Council more than 16 years now so it’s been a long apprenticeship to becoming Mayor but it has been worth every second,” he said.

“We have a strong team of Councillors who are great advocates for our residents and I look forward to continuing to work with them in this new capacity.”