Daphne McDonald a no-show as faces political fight for life

VETERAN councillor Daphne McDonald has become the first councillor to boycott an election forum staged by The Bulletin after being a shock no show at last night’s function.

VETERAN councillor Daphne McDonald has become the first councillor to boycott an election forum staged by the Bulletin after being a shock no-show at last night’s function.

The failure of Cr McDonald to turn up stunned rivals as she faces the fight of her political life to retain her Palm Beach division which under boundary changes now extends north to Burleigh.

You Decided Gold Coast Bulletin Election Forums, . Divisions 13 and 14 held at the Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park SLSC. Division 13 candidates, Scott Wallace, Bern Young and Katrina Beikoff. The spare chair was for Cr Daphne McDonald. Picture: Jerad Williams.

The Bulletin invited Councillor McDonald and candidates Scott Wallace, Bern Young and Katrine Beikoff in Division 13, and Councillor Gail O’Neill and candidate Gloria Baker in Division 14. 

The forum at the Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park Surf Life Saving Club was a sellout but after Federal Government announcements about COVID-19, the Bulletin decided to close the meeting to the general public.

Several attempts were made to contact Cr McDonald by telephone and email but she did not respond.

Residents were asked to send in questions, and most of them focused on any political allegiances of the candidates, light rail to the border and high-rise development.

Ratepayers wanted to know if council would build a car park at Palm Beach, whether councillors could improve public consultation and whether they supported an environment advisory committee being re-established at City Hall. 

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You Decided Gold Coast Bulletin Election Forum at Burleigh. Picture: Jerad Williams.

In a specific question to Cr McDonald, a resident asked: “What specific steps have you taken to try and improve the City Plan and the individual building outcomes in Palm Beach, other than saying you don’t like them.”

Ms Young said she was surprised Cr McDonald had not turned up because she was interested in what she would have said at the forum.

Ms Beikoff said she was disappointed Cr McDonald was absent.

“I think that doesn’t allow our community to hear what her plans are moving forward,” Ms Beikoff said.

The Bulletin asked the candidates in Division 13 what was their budget, how many volunteers they had, how many homes they had doorknocked and would they do a preference deal.

Mr Wallace from the Animal Justice Party admitted he began his campaign less than a month ago and was working off a limited budget. Candidates have no preference deals.

Bern Young at the forum. Picture: Jerad Williams.

“We don’t have huge budgets. I have a total of ten corflutes,” he said.

Ms Young said she began campaigning on January 20, taking leave without pay from the ABC and working on a 10-week plan, which included letter box dropping and door knocking.

She estimated her total spend would be about $8000 with most of that from “micro donations” under $500.

About 40 supporters had indicated they would hand out how-to-vote cards at booths on polling days on March 28 but coronavirus was likely to have an impact on numbers.

Katrina Beikoff (right) speaking at the Forum. Picture: Jerad Williams.

“I don’t want to put my friends in harm’s way,” Ms Young said.

Ms Beikoff estimated she had spent 600 hours doorknocking 400 streets since her campaign started six months ago. Her budget of $10,000 was funded by herself and her husband.

“It’s an incredibly valuable to listen face-to-face as someone explains what their issues are. That’s where the real issues and information comes through,” she said.