Remember when: the National Party’s “running mate ploy” was considered by ALP for Albert

AN election technique perfected by the National Party was considered by the Labor Party in a bid to win back the Gold Coast seat of Albert.

Gold Coast History: Gold Coast Bulletin 1977, April 28. Front page.

Gold Coast Bulletin, Thursday April 28, 1977

AN election technique perfected by the National Party was considered by the Labor Party in a bid to win back the Gold Coast seat of Albert.

Labor officials revealed they were considering endorsing a second candidate as a “running mate” for endorsed candidate Bill D’Arcy.

The party leader admitted they had approached Beenleigh ALP branch stalwart Cr Ces Clark who they believed would be a personality vote winner in the north-of-the-Albert electorate.

It was thought that with Cr Clark’s preferences directed to Mr D’Arcy, he would be able to unseat sitting member Ivan Gibbs.

Gold Coast Bulletin 1977, April 28. Front page.

The running mate ploy had been used by the Nationals at the 1974 election at which Mr D’Arcy was defeated by Mr Gibbs after just one term.

At that year’s election Mr D’Arcy ultimately did not recontest his old seat and instead ran for election in the newly created neighbouring seat of Woodridge in which he was successful.

He remained in parliament throughout the remaining 12 years of the National Party’s rule, the Goss and Borbidge Governments and the early years of the Beattie administration until resigning in 2000.

He spent seven years in prison on child sex charges.

Mr Gibbs ultimately went on to serve for a further 12 years in state parliament including time as Attorney-General and Health Minister, a role he had in the final days the Nationals were in power before losing to the Goss Government.

He died in 2011.