Gold Coast Council elections 2024: Mayoral candidate Eddy Sarroff rejects being part of an anti-Tate block ticket in poll

A Gold Coast mayoral candidate who is running as an independent has strenuously denied claims he is working on an anti-Tate group ticket with his son and other candidates. SEE THE VIDEO

Mayoral candidate Eddy Sarroff, who is running as an independent, has strenuously denied accusations of working on an anti-Tom Tate group ticket with his son and other candidates.

Rival campaigners have claimed that Mr Sarroff has been running a campaign for months with Edward Sarroff in Division 7 along with town hall meetings to boost his profile.

Mr Sarroff has strongly rejected the claims, saying he helped expose candidate blocs in previous campaigns going back to 2004.

Mayor Tom Tate has entered the explosive debate, asking voters whether they should trust his long term mayoral rival.

“Eddy Sarroff trying to convince voters that he is an independent candidate would be like me trying to convince people I am tall, caucasian guy with blonde hair,” Mr Tate said.

Eddy Sarroff and son Edward on the campaign trail. Picture: Seven News Gold Coast.

Electoral Commission of Queensland guidelines set down explicit instructions on whether candidates run as an independent or in a group, sharing resources.

ECQ forms show Division Ten candidate Mona Hecke signed off on Mr Sarroff nominating, and like Edward Sarroff, has been sharing his posts. Ms Hecke ran against Mr Tate in 2020.

Mr Sarroff said the claims were “absolutely rubbish” and he had sought advice from the ECQ returning officer on the day of nominations regarding his son’s campaign.

“It is okay for candidates to talk to each other. It is not okay to be forming a group and not declaring it as a group,” he said.

“You will having nothing other than transparency and accountability (from me). I have been encouraged by some council candidates to run, and I appreciate it.”

Ms Hecke also denied there was any collusion between candidates, insisting she was completely independent.

She said complaints “sounded like muckraking”.

“I have always been and always will be an independent candidate,” she said.

“This election is no different.

“There are many other candidates who are also independents who I wish well and support in their efforts to represent their electorate.

“We need more independent candidates in Council to ensure the democratic and transparent processes are always in the public interest.”

Mona Hecke hoping for a good outcome — at the ballot draw — with Eddy Sarroff looking on. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Mr Sarroff said he would continue to “sing his son’s praises” but that did not constitute him backing a political group.

Edward Sarroff also rejected the claims explaining why he had worn his father’s shirts.

“Having so many old shirts in my closet, I’m proud to wear them as an Eddy,” he said.

Edward Sarroff also dismissed critics of his campaign corflutes with branding saying ‘Our city needs a Sarroff’.

“I don’t think I’ve got an unfair advantage. My dad has given me help, other people’s family give them help. I’ve very proud to have my dad out on the road letter box dropping while I’m doing the doorknocking,” he said.

Edward Sarroff with his father Eddy on the campaign trail.

Edward Sarroff, after he and his father met with the Bulletin on Thursday morning, later posted on social media about a Facebook poll showing his dad slightly ahead of Mr Tate.

“He’s off to a great start, polling slightly ahead of Mayor Tate. Please help him continue building momentum by having conversations with your friends, family and co-workers,” he wrote.

Mr Sarroff also revealed he made a final decision to run very early on the morning of nominations closing for the March 16 poll. Only 46 people have put forward their names as candidates, compared to a record 68 in 2012.

“The encouragement from the community has come through in the last three weeks. So the thoughts were in my mind, the final decision was made on the day, early that morning, I’d say seven o’clock, six o’clock that morning,” he said.

Mr Sarroff strongly rejected suggestions his campaigning started as early as December.

“There was never a campaign started anytime as you suggested,” he said.

Mr Sarroff said a councillor had recently told him: “There is an opportunity there, and the city needs to change. You have got the qualifications.”

The City’s former finance chair was visibly emotional when he spoke privately about the support from residents who had approached him at the beach and in the streets.

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