Greens MP spruiks unfunded, unbuilt council projects in ‘bizarre’ re-election campaign

A Greens MP has come under fire for claiming credit for “delivering” unbuilt, unfunded council projects as the pre-election war for Brisbane’s western suburbs intensifies.

Greens MP Michael Berkman is claiming credit for “delivering” local government initiatives and spruiking his involvement in unbuilt, unfunded council projects as the pre-election war for Brisbane’s western suburbs intensifies.

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In a re-election strategy that’s has been slammed as “bizarre” and “deceptive”, campaign corflutes for the incumbent MP have been erected in his Maiwar electorate, taking credit for “delivering … two green bridges” – between St Lucia and West end and Toowong and West End – and stopping the Mt Coot-tha zip line.

‘Bizarre’ signage for Greens candidate Michael Berkman for the State Election seat of Maiwar. Picture: supplied

However, both projects are Brisbane City Council initiatives implemented by Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner after assuming office in April last year.

Michael Berkman said his claims related to his campaigning “for new Green Bridges in the 2016 and 2017 elections” and his lobbying against the Mt Coot-Tha zip line

“The Greens took proposals for new green bridges to the 2016 and 2017 elections and I continued to campaign on this from the time I was elected,” he said.

“Council eventually adopted our policy.”

Michael Berkman Greens MP for Maiwar pictured at his office, Brisbane 8th of October 2020. Michael plans to raise royalties to fund free breakfast and lunch program in every state school. (Image/Josh Woning)

“I was the only representative on the west side to stand with residents and mobilise a community campaign opposing the Mt Coot-Tha zip line, while the LNP spent almost $1 million ratepayer dollars trying to sell it to the public.”

However, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner maintained that both the Green Bridge projects and the scrapping of the Mt Coot-tha zip line were council decisions.

“It’s pretty sad that Mr Berkman has delivered so little for local residents that he’s now shamelessly trying to claim credit for projects and decisions made by other levels of government,” he said.

LNP candidate for Maiwar Lauren Day with her husband Matthew and children Rosie (age 1) and Joseph (age 6) campaigning at Indooroopilly, Saturday, October 3, 2020 – Picture: Richard Walker

Maiwar LNP candidate Lauren Day blasted Mr Berkman’s campaign as “shameless and deceptive”.

“It’s a bizarre campaign where the Greens MP is claiming credit for council projects and issues that he had nothing to do with,” she said.

Ms Day urged balloters to vote according to “state-based issues including road upgrades such as duplication of the centenary bridge, a Bardon roundabout upgrade and upgrades and improvements at our local schools”.

“This election is about State issues and the future of Queensland.”

W/E-SL and WE-Toowong bridges are still in their planning stages with “a range of technical investigations and studies underway” – according to council.

The Courier Mail understands Brisbane City Council has not received state funding for the construction of either of the bridges.