Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner’s face printed more than 4 million times

Brisbane’s Lord Mayor has questioned why the opposition is “so obsessed” with his face after it was revealed his picture was printed on more than four million ratepayer funded brochures.

RATEPAYERS have paid for Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner’s face to be printed on more than four million brochures, newsletters, flyers and more since April this year.

The figure was revealed in a question on notice from the Labor opposition at Tuesday’s council meeting where leader Jared Cassidy bluntly asked the Lord Mayor “do you have no shame”

Labor’s Patrick Condren slams $6m Brisbane City Council ad spending spree

$100k ‘wasted’ on brochure featuring new Lord Mayor

Adrian Schrinner says he won’t advertise his face if Labor councillors don’t advertise theirs

Cr Schrinner was equally blunt in return.

“I’m not sure how to respond to that because that was a statement and a political statement,” he said.

“I don’t know why Labor is so obsessed with my face. They just have personal attacks and mud to throw.”

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner handing down the 2019-20 Brisbane City Council Budget. Picture: AAP/Claudia Baxter

Cr Cassidy called across the council chamber that Labor had “four million reasons” to be interested in the Lord Mayor’s face.

The questions on notice also revealed the Brisbetter campaign advertisements specifically spruiking free off-peak travel for seniors cost ratepayers $397,404.19 — the budget to deliver the program is $3.1 million.

The same campaign will spend $357,184.54 to advertise the council’s first homebuyers rates discount.

Cr Cassidy asked how much was budgeted to pay for the rates discount and Cr Schrinner answered: “Why don’t you read the Budget?”

Cr Cassidy said after the debate that the estimated cost was not in the Budget and the Lord Mayor should have confirmed the cost to the chamber.

As well as seniors travel and the first home buyers schemes, the campaign also advertises the new double decker CityCat and fee cuts for small businesses.

Labor candidate for Brisbane Lord Mayor Patrick Condren, pictured with Opposition leader Jared Cassidy and Opposition deputy leader Kara Cook. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian

Labor Lord Mayoral candidate Patrick Condren said it was “bonkers” that the council was spending $4 million on the campaign.

“We know the same policies he’s spruiking for $4 million are only worth $6 million,” he said.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said an important part of Brisbane City Council’s role was to communicate what they were doing, and make residents aware of services, discounts and benefits available to them.

“Team Schrinner is about ideas and getting things done, Labor is about carping and paralysis.”