Currumbin by-election 2020: LNP and Labor Candidates reluctant to outline position on light rail

The battle for Currumbin is heating up as both the Labor and LNP candidates reveal the answer to one critical question: Where do they stand on Light rail going to Gold Coast Airport?

THE two prime candidates looking to snare the crucial state seat of Currumbin were happy to talk family, their close ties to the community and how their policies trumped their rival party this morning.

But don’t ask them for a definitive position on one of the area’s most polarising issues – light rail.

Currumbin candidate Kaylee Campradt is on the fence over light rail. Picture: Mike Batterham

Both Labor candidate Kaylee Campradt and the LNP’s Laura Gerber sidestepped questions about whether they wanted the trams to run through their division en route to the Gold Coast Airport.

The project has been a hotbed issue for residents in the Palm Beach-Currumbin area, causing friction with Mayor Tom Tate.

In December, a defiant Councillor Tate threatened to take the trams south to the border without stops at Palm Beach if residents did not want them.

Ms Campradt said it was too early to support or oppose the project. Ms Gerber said only that the community was concerned.

Labor is throwing significant resources at Currumbin Picture: Mike Batterham

RETIRING MP’S BLAST AT LNP COLLEAGUES

At a boisterous Labor launch at Currumbin RSL, Ms Campradt said: “I think the people of Palm Beach have legitimate concerns about what it means already.

“I think people have used light rail in Palm Beach as an excuse for some of the ugly things that have happened there. I’m not sure that all of that can be pegged on the light rail, because it’s happening anyway (overdevelopment).

“I do understand that the airport particularly wants to see infrastructure linked … I agree, we need to sort that out.

“I think that the heavy rail to the airport is something I want to see happen. As far as light rail goes, I’m not sure. I’m not sure whether it’s something everybody wants but I’m prepared to listen and learn … but it’s very early at this point.”

Ms Campradt was joined at the launch party by senior Queensland Labor figures such as Minister for Tourism Kate Jones, Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath and Minister for Roads Mark Bailey.

Labor’s Currumbin candidate Kaylee Campradt (centre) with her mum Mavis Campradt and daughter Indie Campradt, 13. Pictured behind Mavis Campradt is Minister for Tourism Kate Jones. Picture: Mike Batterham

CURRUMBIN’S MOST BIZARRE POLITICAL MOMENTS

Less than a kilometre up the road at Winders Park half an hour later, Ms Gerber held a more sedate media event.

She brought along two-year-old son Tom for a photo opportunity alongside Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington.

Queensland LNP Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington with Currumbin candidate Laura Gerber and her two-year-old son Tom. Picture: Luke Mortimer

“My personal view on the light rail? Look, I think Currumbin doesn’t want to go the same way as Palm Beach. We want to be able to park on the beaches, we want to be able to have the accessibility that we have now and I think the concern is when the light rail goes through in that way that might all fall away. I think that’s the concern,” she said.

Labor’s Currumbin candidate Kaylee Campradt surrounded by supporters. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Both parties are expected to go to the polls next month for a by-election to fill the seat left vacant by long-serving MP Jann Stuckey.

Ms Stuckey has officially resigned from the job after going public about her battle with depression and bullying in politics.

A date for a by-election is expected this week. It is expected to be held on council polling on March 28.

Ms Stuckey retained Currumbin with a 3.3 per cent margin against Labor in 2017, following a 2.4 per cent swing to Labor.

The electorate includes Currumbin, Coolangatta, Elanora and Tugun as well as Currumbin Valley and Tallebudgera Valley.