Gold Coast council election 2016: Mayor spending only a fraction of 2012’s $340,000 outlay

MAYOR Tom Tate is outspending his rival mayoral candidates but says he is running a discount campaign compared to the 2012 local government poll.

Mayor Tom Tate says he is running a discount campaign for re-election. Photo: Mike Batterham

MAYOR Tom Tate is outspending his rival mayoral candidates but says he is running a discount campaign compared to the 2012 local government poll.

Councillor Tate and the five other candidates were asked about their political backing, donors and campaign expenses in the final mayoral debate organised by the Gold Coast Media Club at the Marriott Hotel in Surfers Paradise yesterday.

Mayor Tom Tate says he is running a discount campaign for re-election. Photo: Mike Batterham

“I’m not independent, I’ve got Ruth. So the funding is Ruth and I. Our family savings,” Cr Tate replied.

Asked again what the amount of expenses would be, Cr Tate said he would need to seek clarification before adding “it’s only a fraction of what we spent last time”.

Rival candidate Jim Wilson, who intends to spend no more than $60,000, asked Councillor Tate: “What is your estimate, Tom?”

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Cr Tate quickly replied, “More than you, Jim” which caused laughter among many of the 100 guests at the function room.

Cr Tate, after the 2012 poll listed $340,000 in donations, with all of the funding provided by companies owned by himself and his wife.

A striking feature of this campaign has been fewer corflutes featuring the mayor and less advertising.

While other candidates said they were independent or not backed by political parties in this campaign, Cr Tate who retains LNP membership, confirmed he was a political conservative.

“I’m conservative but not endorsed,” he said.

“As a matter of fact, when I go to bat for the city, people know that I don’t wear blue or red ties – I wear gold ties.”

The 2016 Mayoral candidates at a debate held at the Surfers Paradise Marriot Hotel yesterday: Brett Lambert, Andrew Middleton, Penny Toland, Tom Tate, John Abbott and Jim Wilson. Photo: Mike Batterham

Penny Toland did not specify an amount but revealed her biggest campaign backers in the lead-up to tomorrow’s poll were her mother and father.

“I’ve been quite fortunate that there are people around the city who are unhappy with the current administration and one of them owns a printing company and is now my best friend. So he is printing my flyers and how-to-votes free-of-charge,” she said.

Andrew Middleton estimated his only expense was spending $1.40 each day buying the Bulletin “just to see that my name is not in there”.

Brett Lambert said he had no team behind him and was running his campaign by himself.

“It’s my life savings,” he said.

“People have offered money as donations but I can assure nobody has given me any money.

“It is not their job. I’m actually applying for it. I don’t expect anyone to pay for it.”

As the mayoral candidates attempted to recall their spending during the lunch, Peter Young who is standing in the Nerang-Pacific Pines division, became the first candidate to release a full spreadsheet detailing his funding.

The document shows 21 donors, along with $837 from a fundraiser, helped raise $15,400 for Mr Young who had to give up the division to run for mayor in 2012.

“All of these donors are regular, everyday people in our community who are my friends,” Mr Young said.

“There are no strings attached, no expectations of me – other than to do my best for the community.

“I am humbled by their trust and support and encouragement.”