Mayor Tom Tate pats State Labor Government on back — and Kate Jones claims it

DID the Gold Coast’s Liberal-leaning Mayor just back Labor? Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Minister Kate Jones are claiming it.

‘Thanks Tom’ ... Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Minister for Tourism, Major Events and the Commonwealth Games, Kate Jones, at the The Star on the Gold Coast yesterday. Picture: Jerad Williams

STATE Labor Government leaders are claiming election mode endorsement from typically Liberal-leaning Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate.

The LNP life member’s speech during Saturday night’s Games Charity Gala ball raised eyebrows when he patted the Palaszczuk Government on the back with closing remarks and that he hoped their strong relationship continued in future.

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Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk plus Commonwealth Games and Tourism Minister Kate Jones both admit they were pleasantly surprised to hear what they felt was Cr Tate endorsing their Government three weeks out from the election.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate: “It’s been great working with the Premier.” Picture: Adam Head

Ms Jones said she felt Cr Tate had said it was a pleasure working with the Palaszczuk Government and he hoped it continued.

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Ms Palaszczuk said that is what she heard too: “I welcome his comments, I appreciate those comments and I look forward to working with him in future. It was very positive and I was surprised, it was very nice of him.

“Tom works very hard for the Gold Coast, I work very hard for this state and we have been working incredibly closely together for the past three years and that’s exactly what I intend to do.”

Premier Palaszczuk with ‘Minister for the Gold Coast’ Kate Jones. (AAP Image/Darren England).

Cr Tate yesterday declined to further clarify whether he had intended to specifically endorse the Labor Government but told the Bulletin: “It’s been great working with the Premier.”

Despite his well-known liberal leanings, Cr Tate typically responds to questions about his political hue by saying he’s “gold” for the Gold Coast.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk have worked closely for three years. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

Gold Coast Suns chairman Tony Cochrane who attended said everyone heard Cr Tate’s remark but he didn’t interpret it as a call to vote Labor.

“I didn’t necessarily take it that way. What it did illustrate first and foremost is that before politics, he has the Gold Coast’s best interests at heart and is prepared to work with all sides.

“One of the things which sets Tom apart from a lot of politicians is he’s prepared to work with both sides and it was a good example last night of why he is so effective,” Mr Cochrane said.

“He was making his position felt. Kate Jones has been an outstanding Minister for the Gold Coast with both Tourism and the Commonwealth Games.”

Ms Jones said Cr Tate obviously knew what all Gold Coasters knew — that her Labor Government invested heavily to win the Games, boost light rail and tourism events.