Gold Coast Council candidate Eddy Sarroff vows to hold Mayor Tom Tate to account

A former councillor has put his hand up to run in the March poll launching an anti-Tom Tate campaign.

FORMER Gold Coast City councillor Eddy Sarroff will contest next month’s election on an anti-Tom Tate campaign in which he promises to “keep the Mayor accountable”.

“I want to be the first to hold the mayor to account. That’s not saying it could be Tom Tate. I’m not convinced that he is going to be winning,” Cr Sarroff told the Bulletin.

The Broadbeach businessman will stand in the new Division 10 against tourism boss Mike Winlaw and community worker Darren Taylor, the son of retiring councillor Paul Taylor.

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Eddy Sarroff speaks at a protest against the sale of the Bruce Bishop Car Park in Surfers Paradise. Picture Mike Batterham.

“The current council, there have been poor judgments, at the highest level,” Mr Sarroff said. “There’s been insufficient strong politicians to deal with those issues.

“The conflict-of-interest issue needed to be dealt with a long time ago, alarm bells had already sounded.”

Mr Sarroff said the council should have moved to resolve the dispute between Cr Tate’s former chief-of-staff Wayne Moran and council CEO Dale Dickson before it escalated and led to a Crime and Corruption complaint.

The Operation Yabber report focused on Cr Tate using a mayoral directive to stop Mr Dickson from disciplining Mr Moran regarding his alleged failure to declare conflicts of interests with companies involved with his private consultancy.

Cr Tate is facing an Office of the Independent Assessor investigation. He denies any wrong doing or inappropriate conduct. Mr Moran had welcomed the report confident it would always find no corrupt conduct.

Mr Sarroff was spotted recently walking into the council gallery with mayoral candidate Mona Hecke and yesterday admitted he supported the health writer’s campaign.

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Back at the 2012 poll — Mayoral debate held at the Kings Christian Centre, Reedy Creek. (L-R) Susie Douglas, Eddy Sarroff, Tom Tate, Peter Young.

“I have seen a candidate who is standing side-by-side with the community, addressing genuine issues of concern, is a smart communicator. I have no doubt her election would restore much needed confidence in city hall.

“I’ve always been known as a councillor for the whole of the city. The arrogance that’s constantly displayed by the current mayor is an insult to the entire city.”

Cr Tate won the 2012 poll with 37 per cent of the vote, beating Mr Sarroff (18 per cent) and fellow councillors Susie Douglas (15 per cent) and Peter Young (about 12 per cent).

Mr Sarroff had been the Broadbeach-based councillor for 17 years, was finance committee chair, and recently reignited his public profile by successfully leading residents in their fight to stop a second casino at Carey Park, Southport.

He is set to promote himself as a replacement in the Evandale chamber for outspoken retiring councillor Dawn Crichlow.

“I think Dawn has done her best. My history is to never let go (of an issue),” Mr Sarroff said.

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Gold Coast Mayoral debate 2012 held at the Marriot Hotel in Surfers Paradise. Eddy Sarroff and Tom Tate

“The sale of the Bruce Bishop car park, of 15,000 square metres of public parkland in the heart of the city, is a decision that has been to the detriment of Surfers Paradise. The transit centre needed a champion and someone who would not let go.

“I’m prepared to work with any mayor. But I’m not going to tolerate irresponsible and unsustainable choices by the Mayor. Those decisions will only change when there is someone willing to stand up without fear of any retribution and hold the Mayor accountable.”