Gold Coast City Council election 2024: Mayor Tom Tate photographed with suspended councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden
Mayor Tom Tate has opened up about a picture circulating of him campaigning next to suspended councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden. Find out what he had to say about it heading into this weekend’s election
Council Election
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Mayor Tom Tate has been handing out how-to-vote cards next to suspended councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden during pre-polling in the local government election.
The Bulletin has been sent a photograph of Mr Tate, standing next to Cr Bayldon-Lumsden at the Runaway Bay pre-poll centre last Monday.
Volunteers at the booth said the Mayor was only handing out for himself and was “trying to create a positive atmosphere”.
Division 7 candidate Joe Wilkinson, pictured to the right of the pair, has in a “respectful manner” been advising voters that Cr Bayldon-Lumsden remains suspended.
When asked about the pre-poll, Mr Tate replied: “Our entire legal system is based on the premise – innocent unless proven guilty.
“I’ve held that position with this situation throughout and nothing has changed. Like every candidate, I wish Ryan well on March 16.”
Mr Wilkinson confirmed he was speaking to voters informing them “just so you’re aware Ryan is currently suspended on full pay and hasn’t been able to represent you in council for the best part of six months”.
Mr Wilkinson said it was important to “separate Ryan the person away from the job”.
“There’s a genuine risk that if Ryan is re-elected he will likely be suspended again and our community will continue to be left without proper representation. This isn’t good enough,” he said.
“I believe our community deserves better. This job is bigger than the individual, it’s about serving your community.
“We need someone who can get in and do the job without a doubt from day one. I’m here to serve our community, putting their best interests first.”
Cr Bayldon-Lumsden has been put last on how-to-vote cards by all his rivals but still remains favourite to win back his division.
All candidates in Division 7, which covers Arundel, Parkwood and Labrador, on their how-to-vote cards made available at pre-poll had Cr Bayldon-Lumsden in last place.
Cr Bayldon-Lumsden has remained upbeat, handing out how-to-vote cards daily at the Runaway Bay Community Centre since pre-polling began last Monday.
The election is on March 16. His mother Katrina and sister Ruth have been at the Southport pre-poll.
“It has been a very positive day. It’s been nice getting out to chat with people I’ve got to meet with during the last few months and going through the vision I have for the next term of council,” he said, last Monday.
“It was an honour getting elected in 2020. And I really look forward to serving the residents in Division 7.”
His lawyer Jason Murakami, of Behlau Murakami Grant, has lodged a plea of not guilty to the murder charge.
He was suspended by the state government from his council role as the case continues.
The content summaries were created with the assistance of AI technology then edited and approved for publication by an editor.
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