Tweed Shire councillor Reece Byrnes accuses Richmond Greens candidate Mandy Nolan of ‘promoting politics’ at event

An irate Tweed councillor has accused a comedian and federal Greens candidate of taking advantage of a ratepayer-funded event – but she’s fired back and isn’t clowning around.

Tweed councillor Reece Byrnes (right) has taken a swipe at Richmond Greens candidate Mandy Nolan (left).

Tweed councillor Reece Byrnes has accused comedian and federal Greens candidate Mandy Nolan of pushing her own political agenda at an upcoming ratepayer-funded council event, saying “it can never happen again”.

But Ms Nolan has since fired back. And she isn’t clowning around.

Ms Nolan, a Greens candidate for the seat of Richmond held by Labor’s Justine Elliot will host a Tweed Shire Council Seniors Festival event in March.

Mandy Nolan is a Greens candidate for the seat of Richmond and a prominent woman on the North Coast. Picture: Savannah Pocock.

An irate Cr Byrnes – a Labor councillor and Tweed Shire Council’s former deputy mayor, who has worked as a staffer in Ms Elliot’s Tweed office – took to Facebook on Wednesday.

“Over the past weeks I have been contacted by many local residents who are concerned that Greens political party candidate Mandy Nolan will be hosting an upcoming Tweed Shire Council Seniors Festival event,” he wrote.

“Like you, I believe it’s outrageous for political party candidates to be given a platform to promote themselves and their politics at council events where ratepayers may be footing the bill.

Candidate Mandy Nolan is taking on long-time Richmond MP Justine Elliot, who is based in the Tweed. Picture: The Advertiser/Morgan Sette

“That is why I will be moving a motion at council to stop this ever happening again, and bring back accountability and transparency to Tweed Shire Council.”

In a scathing rebuttal on Friday, Ms Nolan told NewsLocal Cr Byrnes was “the only person promoting politics in this circumstance”.

“I am a little stunned that I have been accused of promoting politics before an event has actually happened,” she said.

“I have been a comedian for 38 years. Last year I hosted the Tweed Shire Council Seniors Event and was asked to do it again because the seniors really enjoyed my humoir – it is their day isn’t it?”

Ms Nolan said she had a “long history working with seniors” in the Tweed and had created a government-funded program called Stand Up For Dementia.

Reece Byrnes announces his state election candidacy alongside Richmond Justine Elliot back in 2011. Picture: Kit De Guymer/Archives

She said she also worked for community organisations to create “bespoke events for Seniors Week to encourage engagement and inclusion in this region and on the Sunshine Coast”.

“I would never use a role like MC for a senior’s festival for political gain. It was unfair and inaccurate for Councillor Reece Byrnes to suggest that I would,” she said.

“I am sure, like me, Reece knows how to wear many hats.

“For the senior’s festival, I will be wearing my clown hat. Reece is welcome to come and try it on.”

Cr Byrnes motion read:

1) Council instigate a process to ensure transparency and accountability when appointing political candidates to non-political ratepayer funded/sponsored events.

2) Where political candidates are selected/recommended these recommendations are presented to the Elected Body for public scrutiny/oversight and approval.

3) These recommendations be made public by way of a Council Report on a biannual basis.

by hosting a ratepayer-funded Tweed Shire Council seniors event.

Cr Byrnes has been contacted for further comment.