Council election 2020: Donna Gates defends being filmed recommending Division 1 candidate

Deputy Mayor Donna Gates has defended her endorsement of another Gold Coast council candidate after video emerged of her urging a voter to give their support to them.

DEPUTY Mayor Donna Gates has defended her endorsement of another Gold Coast council candidate after video emerged of her urging a voter to give their support to him.

The video obtained by the Bulletin was shot mid-last week and shows Cr Gates telling a voter to support Division 1 candidate Mark Hammel, just days after she declined to endorse a successor in the city’s most northern seat.

Gold Coast Deputy Mayor Donna Gates in the video. Picture: Supplied

“That’s my recommendation for Div 1, Mark Hammel,” she is seen saying in the video.

The incumbent Deputy Mayor, who is running in Division 3 after her former division was split in half, rubbished suggestions she had colluded with Mr Hammel’s campaign at all.

“It is nonsense, my campaign is being managed by myself and my son with no involvement from any other parties,” she said.

“As you know last week I declined to offer an opinion in fairness to all candidates.

“There have been many people who have asked for my opinion because they know how much I care about the area.

Cr Gates was filmed recommending council candidate Mark Hammel. Picture: Supplied

“Information which came to hand over the past few days made me believe that people should vote 1 for the person they know they are electing.”

Cr Gates, speaking at the Gold Coast Bulletin’s You Decide council election forum last Tuesday, declined when asked to say which candidate she felt voters should support.

“It’s going to be really important that whoever you elect have the desire to work with me because I’ve decided I’m going to be there,” she told the forum.

“It has been more than 20 years that I’ve had a direct relationship with northern Gold Coast.

Division 1 candidate, Mark Hammel. Picture: Jerad Williams

“I know I can get things done because I know my way around. But I want to be there as a mentor to the new person.

“I’m going to be there to support them.”

Division 1 takes in the city's northernmost suburbs, including Ormeau and Yatala.

It will produce one of four new councillors after the March 28 poll, with no incumbent standing in the seat.

Mr Hammel is one of five candidates standing in the seat including Alec Pokarier, Pat Reynolds, Andrew Stimson and Renee Clarke.