Mayor Tom Tate quotes activist Greta Thunberg to attack State Government donation ban

Mayor Tom Tate has invoked famous words from climate activist Greta Thunberg to attack a State Government law.

MAYOR Tom Tate has told a forum it is “unAustralian” to stop property developers donating to politicians, drawing swift rebuke from one of the city’s industry leaders.

Cr Tate yesterday addressed a Property Council lunch held at The Star Gold Coast where he outlined his future vision for the city as it approaches a new decade.

Climbing onstage to This Is Me – a song from The Greatest Showman – Cr Tate began by repeating a famous quote from climate activist Greta Thunberg.

“I want to quote that little 16-year-old girl Greta (who said) ‘how dare you’.

Mayor Tate quoted the young activist during his speech. Picture: Luke Mortimer

“I want to use those words to the current state government to ban property developers donating because they still allowed the unions to line their pockets and at the same time stop anyone else having a voice in politics. That’s unAustralian.”

The law banning property developer donations came into effect in Queensland last year, ostensibly to crack down on corruption and increase transparency.

In April the High Court upheld the ban, ruling it to be constitutional.

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During a panel discussion at the lunch, featuring The Star’s Queensland MD Geoff Hogg and Gold Coast Bulletin editor Rachel Hancock, Sunland chairman Soheil Abedian stood up to address Cr Tate’s statement.

Sunland is one of the city’s leading developers and is planning a $1.3 billion luxury mini-city in Clear Island Waters with its own shopping centre.

“My comment is in respect of the statement Mayor Tom did that it is unAustralian that the developer cannot contribute to the politician of their choice,” Mr Abedian said.

Sunland chairman Soheil Abedian addressed Mayor Tate’s comments. Photo by Richard Gosling

“Actually I’m thinking exactly the opposite. That shows the maturity of the city that Gold Coasters are voting for the people that are entitled to be in the office and money cannot buy them. I believe that shows the calibre of the people we have in power.”

Brisbane-based Sunland, which was based on the Gold Coast for much of its history, is no stranger to political donations.

The company has donated to a number of councillors in the past, including Gary Baildon and William Owen-Jones.

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Also at the lunch Cr Tate unveiled the name for the new ferry service to be called Hopo, meaning hop-on, hop-off.

Cr Tate said he has his eye out for new locations, including the jetty at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.

“Hopo will start and the trial period is for two years,” he said.

“I really feel before the trial is out there will be additional terminals and the key here is that, where we can, is to link people to the light rail.

“My prediction is the ferry service will be as popular as the light rail.”