Gold Coast City Council election 2004: Robina candidate Dan Doran threatened in text messages
A high-profile Gold Coast council candidate has been threatened with a kerb stomping after taking an afternoon off from the campaign trail. FIND OUT WHY
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A Gold Coast candidate has contacted police about violent threats after enjoying an afternoon off from his campaign at an AFL game.
Dan Doran in Division 11 made the complaint to ease tension and put out a call for calm after receiving the shocking social media messages on the weekend.
Enjoying a rare moment to relax on the weekend, Mr Doran posted a picture of himself at the Suns home game on Saturday afternoon with his mate Mark Witheriff.
He describes the two direct messages from two people on Sunday night through social media as a “call back to the American History X scene of standing on your head”.
A critic had posted “Teeth in the curb (sic) Dan Doran”. A complaint was made to police.
“There’s a cautionary tale here that social media is not just something that kids have to put up with,” Mr Doran said.
“We all need to just tone it down a bit. I need to put it out there because I don’t want to get any more (abuse).”
Mr Doran had earlier posted: “Had a great time watching the Gold Coast Suns yesterday. Don’t worry I only left Division 11 for a couple of hours. Please don’t abuse me this time.”
He said the latest social media attack following an earlier post a week ago when he was promoting the Coolangatta Melanoma March for the Melanoma Institute of Australia.
A critic asked him about his priorities saying “isn’t running for council more important to you right now”.
Mr Doran later explained his father, John, died from melanoma when he was 13 years old.
“What a disgusting way to start the day,” he wrote, in his response on social media.
After a week of more abusive posts, Mr Doran decided to go public.
“The Varsity Lakes Community Page has shut down all political talk because it has been getting a bit antsy,” he told the Bulletin.
“It’s five days to go. Everyone is going to get stressed. Everyone is going to get tired. Everyone – just cool your jets and calm down.
“You can tell people are getting a bit worked up. I just want people to calm down.”
Election day is on Saturday but it is estimated up to two-thirds of voters could have voted before then at pre-poll or by postal voting.
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