Council contender drunk drove twice in two weeks

A man running in this weekend’s Gold Coast City Council election has lost his license after being caught drink driving twice in two weeks.

A YOUNG LNP member running for Gold Coast City Hall says he will use public transport if elected after losing his driver’s licence for more than two years following successive drink-driving convictions.

Alec Pokarier, 24, was banned from the road for more than two years after being busted twice for mid-range drink-driving within weeks. He also drove while disqualified.

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Division 1 candidate Alec Pokarier. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Mr Pokarier was disqualified for three months and fined $600 last May after being caught drink-driving. He faced court again less than three weeks later for an identical offence, as well as disqualified driving, and was disqualified for 27 months and fined $750.

Mr Pokarier, who is contesting Division 1 in the Coast’s far north, has blamed his ‘poor history’ on mental health struggles.

The would-be councillor said he had been “in a dark place” but had undergone counselling and achieved “great results”.

Mr Pokarier, who has worked for Broadwater MP David Crisafulli, sparked controversy after announcing his candidacy last year when Facebook photos emerged of him brandishing a gun.

Labor senator Murray Watt seized on pictures, accusing Mr Pokarier of being “another right-wing Liberal hack”.

Gold Coast City Council candidate and LNP identity Alec Pokarier holding a gun.

Mr Pokarier has been spotted on the campaign trail being driven to functions by his partner and grandparents.

He told The Courier-Mail he was getting around “perfectly well” despite his driving ban and that would continue if he wins the election.

Mr Pokarier said he would catch public transport and help “highlight the real shortcomings” in bus services on the northern Gold Coast.

Division 1 rival Mark Hammel said while he felt for anyone with mental health struggles, “there is no excuse for putting his and the public’s lives at risk by getting behind the wheel of a car with a mid-range blood-alcohol level - not once, but twice in three weeks”.

“Most people would see that as irresponsible and reckless behaviour, and the public expects better from their city leaders,” Mr Hammel said.

“I struggle to understand how someone who is 24 years old with no driver’s licence can easily attend daily meetings all over the city and deliver the results Division 1 needs, particularly during these challenging times we are currently facing as a city.”

Another Division 1 candidate, Renee Clarke, said she did not agree with drink-driving but believed Mr Pokarier had been punished enough by having to address his mental health battles.

“I don’t really think it’s fair to attack his past,” said Ms Clarke, a psychologist.

“I came into this election thinking I would try to help people and I don’t like seeing them dragged through the mud.”

Greens candidate Andrew Stimson said voters should focus on policies rather than candidates’ “personal problems”.

Division 1 is currently held by Deputy Mayor Donna Gates but she is contesting Division 3 after electoral boundary changes.