Gold Coast Election 2020: Shock preference deals between candidates revealed

Candidates are being asked to be transparent about their preference deals as secret meetings continued before pre-polling in the local government election starts today.

CANDIDATES are being asked to be transparent about their preference deals as secret meetings continued, before pre-polling in the local government election starts today.

Division 1 candidate Mark Hammel has announced he would not be doing preference deals and called on other candidates to go public on their position.

The Bulletin understands last minute deals are being done in the areas which will see four new faces at city hall, including Southport and the Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach super division.

Division 10 candidate Mike Winlaw. Picture: Jerad Williams

“I am calling on all other Division 1 candidates to go on the record and make public their official stance when it comes to preferential voting,” Mr Hammel said.

“I strongly believe preference deals and party politics should be kept out of local government — it’s the last thing Gold Coast City Council needs. Unlike some candidates contesting the seat of Division 1, I am completely local and independent of any political party, and firmly believe party politics is the last thing we need in Gold Coast City Council.

“It’s my view — and one that is shared by many in our community — that negotiations, power plays and back room deals between candidates and political parties over preferences have no place in local government elections.

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“I have spoken to several concerned residents and business owners who are asking me if I know anything about preference deals going on in the background they are unaware of.”

Division Six candidate Michael Pulford has announced he intends to share preferences with fellow candidate Josephine Tobias.

“It really is a perfect fit, we share similar ideas and we are both business and community minded people and we are the only two candidates in Division 6 not aligned to a political party.

“We are both truly independent, and either of us would serve Division 6 with distinction if elected. I was approached by two other candidates about a preference deal but my independence meant that I simply could not do it.

Division 10 candidates Seema Chauhan and Eddy Sarroff. Picture: Jerad Williams

“It was never my intention to do a preference deal but when two of the other candidates entered into an unlikely preference deal last week, there was only one person I was going to talk to and that was Josephine.

“We knew that we had a better chance of mounting a serious challenge if we joined forces as independents. If I were to win on Josephine’s preferences, I know that she would support me whole-heartedly and I would do the same for her, knowing that individually we have both worked incredibly hard in this campaign, not to mention funding our campaigns one hundred per cent out of our own back pockets.”

Division One candidate Mark Hammel — he will not be doing a preference deal. Pic by Luke Marsden.

The Bulletin has been told Shaelee Welchman has done a preference deal with Susie Gallagher. Brooke Patterson, who is considered a front runner, will run on a vote one campaign.

In Division 10, tourism leader Mike Winlaw and rival candidate Eddy Sarroff who are both considered leading candidates have shook hands on a shock preference deal.

Mr Sarroff told the Bulletin: “I’ve done a preference deal with Mr Winlaw because some of his policies align with mine and he is an independent.”

Popular veteran broadcaster Adrian Johnston has put Darren Taylor second, and Mr Winlaw third on his how-to-vote card.