Jonathan Sriranganathan to step down as Gabba ward councillor
Radical Greens Councillor Jonathan Sriranganathan this morning dropped a spectacular election bombshell as the fight to control City Hall heats up. This is his next move.
High-profile Greens Councillor Jonathan Sriranganathan announced this morning (Sunday, March 26) that he will step down, potentially paving the way for a bid to become Lord Mayor.
The shock move came as he denied the Queensland branch of the party was divided between moderates and radicals, saying it was more diverse but more united than ever.
Now in his second term for The Gabba, centred on the alternative heartland around West End, he would have automatically become Deputy Mayor if the Greens picked up about six wards at next year’s local government elections.
But Cr Sriranganathan said he had decided it was time for fresh faces and revealed DJ, QMusic executive and former council candidate Trina Massey would replace him, most likely in early May.
The timing avoided a by-election in the inner-south ward he won in 2020 with the biggest majority in Brisbane’s history.
“The next Council election will come down to a choice between a Greens mayor or an LNP mayor,’’ he said.
“The ALP hasn’t gained a new seat in 20 years. The momentum is with us and I believe as many as 10 wards are winnable by the Greens.
“We could hold the balance of power. A lot of people have told me they want me to run for Lord Mayor, but I’m still thinking about my next move.
“I’m focused on having a rest, which is very exciting after seven years, and on supporting Trina and helping the Greens win more Council seats.’’
He said he would most likely step down at the end of April, with Ms Massey “shadowing’’ him until then while she learned the ropes of being a councillor.
It is understood Labor has not yet locked in a mayoral candidate, despite persistent rumours former state minister Kate Jones had been approached for the role.
Cr Sriranganathan has frequently attracted headlines for his out-there Facebook posts, including tips for squatters on how to find suitable homes and his defence of a University of Queensland student union article offering advice on shop stealing.
In November he was punched in the face, breaking his nose, after trying to de-escalate an apparently drunk man behaving in a violent manner.
Last October he was arrested for obstructing police at the Land Forces defence expo at Brisbane’s convention centre, he has chained himself to a door to try to stop a man being evicted from his unit and led numerous street marches and other protests.
But Cr Sriranganathan, who is of Sri Lankan origin, said his views were no more radical than state Greens colleague Michael Berkman but believed he was treated differently because of his skin colour.
“We’ve both got law degrees. We support many of the same things — free public transport for all, opposition to the global commodification of housing,’’ he said.
“What I’m advocating for is not that radical or extreme, but it’s fair to say I don’t shy away from a fight.
“Many of the things I’ve been advocating for are now mainstream.’’
Cr Sriranganathan downplayed recent rumours that the Queensland branch of the party was divided, saying it had grown its base in a much more harmonious way than Greens parties in countries such as Germany and Finland.
“It’s not accurate to say we have moderates and radicals. Everyone’s politics are a mix of both and we have stayed true to our radical roots while growing our support base,’’ he said.
“We have one foot in parliament and one thousand feet in the street — that’s been central to our strategy.’’
His father Muttucumaru “Sri’’ Sriranganathan, who emigrated from Sri Lanka in 1987 (his mother is Australian-born), said he always knew his son could be a good lawyer but did not think he would turn out to be a politician.
“But when he did I wanted him to get into federal politics because that’s where he could shine more,’’ he said.
Ms Massey ran against Central ward Councillor Vicki Howard in 2020, securing a 4.7 per cent swing to the Greens and leapfrogging over Labor on the two-party preferred vote.
She has worked as a DJ, calling herself Black Amex, and held a senior role with music industry lobby QMusic where she was executive producer of the Queensland Music Awards and ran the night-time session of the BigSound festival.
She has also worked as an arts Adviser to Ipswich City Council.
Cr Sriranganathan said he was proud to be replaced by Council’s first openly queer female councillor of colour.
