Gold Coast election: Across 14 divisions 46 people are fighting for 15 seats

The Gold Coast’s council candidate field is a fraction of previous years, despite an incredible increase in our voting population. Why won’t people stand up for their city?

From the sublime to the ridiculous, this local election has it all when it comes to candidates.

Across 14 divisions, plus the mayoralty, 46 people are fighting it out for these 15 seats.

From incumbents with a quarter century-standing to first-timers fronting the hustings, it seems there is something – or someone – for everyone.

But there is one factor that worries me. It’s the fact that the field this year is almost 20 per cent smaller.

Back in 2020, in the midst of full-blown pandemic panic, there were 56 candidates compared to the 46 campaigning in 2024. In 2016, there was a record 68 hopefuls in the running.

It’s not just a Gold Coast phenomenon either, with Electoral Commission of Queensland figures showing a 10 per cent drop in the number of candidates since 2020.

The decline in council candidates is particularly puzzling given our incredible increase in population over those same four years.

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Voters at the Lawson Street pre-poll centre in Southport as voting started in the Gold Coast City Council 2024 election.

A total of 3.65 million people are enrolled to vote across Queensland next weekend, 11 per cent more than during the 2020 elections.

That has already been mirrored in this city, with incredible lines at pre-polling booths across the Coast.

So out of so many, why are so few standing up to represent their home turf? After all, the pay is decent and it’s an opportunity to make a difference.

Griffith University political scientist Paul Williams theorised to the ABC that people were too worried about the cost of living at home to worry about the needs of the greater community.

Others have suggested that the fewer number of candidates indicated satisfaction with the status quo.

Personally, I’m not inclined to agree with either argument.

But that’s not to say that economic issues are not a factor. Running for local government means spending a good chunk of change.

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In 2020, the average campaign expenditure among the division councillors was $33,000.

This year, nominees operate under a controversial expenditure cap, implemented following an investigation into more than 30 complaints about the conduct of candidates in the 2016 Gold Coast, Moreton Bay, Ipswich and Logan council elections.

The Gold Coast has the highest cap outside of Brisbane, with limits of $22,950 for councillor candidates and $232,100 for mayoral candidates and registered third parties.

While designed to level the playing field, critics say it simply gives incumbents an even greater edge and the greatest reason that more quality candidates have not entered the field.

But in this city, we only have one candidate running unopposed, Cr Shelley Curtis.

Yet in no less than four divisions there is no incumbent, with Pauline Young in Division 12, Daphne McDonald in Division 13, William Owen-Jones in Division 2 and Hermann Vorster in Division 11 not recontesting their seat.

Official ribbon cutting ceremony with Nathan Fife, Cr Daphne McDonald, Burleigh club President Michael Boyce, SLSQ President Mark Fife and Cr Pauline Young. Picture Glenn Hampson

Even Cr Curtis’s Division 4 could technically be considered without an incumbent, since this would be her first general election as she was originally voted in by fellow councillors after Cameron Caldwell resigned to become a Federal MP.

So if there is truly a level playing field in approximately one-third of our seats, and a spending limit that caps a potential loss at about $20,000, why don’t we have more standing up?

Well, from the outside looking in, running for council sure seems like a good way to pay a lot of money for some emotional trauma.

Public criticism, scandalous rumours and innuendo on social media, plus the sheer physical effort of traipsing the streets of the Gold Coast – in the midst of sweltering summer heat and humidity – only to have doors slammed in your face or verbal abuse shouted down the street … it’s a lot.

Even if you win, there are hundreds of keyboard warriors ready to tell you how you could do it better. And the pay? For a job in which you face public scrutiny 24/7, it’s surely just not worth it for many.

So to all those who are running, congratulations. You’ve succeeded in standing up for what you believe in. Even if not a winner, no one can accuse you of being a whinger – rather than simply complain, you took action.

Congratulations also to those like Wayne Purcell, a candidate in the 2020 elections who, this year, has been hosting a series of free ‘meet the candidates’ events across the city in local breweries. Maybe we just need more grassroots events to show people that city council is not out of their reach? After all, a quick glance at any community page shows there is no lack of passion from residents.

Local government is by the people and for the people … so where are you, people?

You Decided Gold Coast Bulletin Election Forums. Divisions 1, 2, and 3 held at the Gold Coast Bulletin office in Southport. Division 3 candidate, Wayne Purcell. Picture: Jerad Williams