Gold Coast Election 2020: Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek running against protester Arjay Martin, Greens candidate Nelson Quinn

A Surfers Paradise LNP MP now faces a second challenger in the form of a coronavirus protester after he was one of only two Gold Coast MPs to not attend the first major campaign event.

UPDATE:

A SECOND challenger to Surfers Paradise LNP MP John-Paul Langbroek has emerged in the form of a coronavirus restriction protestor.

Mr Langbroek was one of two sitting Gold Coast MPs to not attend a candidate’s breakfast hosted by the Central Chamber of Commerce on Thursday morning.

The Bulletin on Wednesday revealed The Greens were standing former farmer Nelson Quinn in the electorate, making him Langbroek’s first challenger.

Now founder of the Reset Australian Party Arjay Martin has announced he will also be running.

Arjay Martin leaves Southport courthouse. Picture: Lea Emery

It previously took a magistrate just 10 minutes to deny Mr Martin’s request for a protest license over the COVID-19 restrictions in Surfers Paradise.

Addressing the Gold Coast’s business community at the Convention Center he said: “I would have already been practicing law if it wasn’t for this illegal, irrational and unlawful COVID lockdown.

“The lockdown itself has destroyed the economy in Queensland, Australia and elsewhere.”

He went on to reference several largely disproven coronavirus and vaccination conspiracy theories, earning a number of scoffs and groans from audience members.

Mr Langbroek and Broadwater MP David Crisafulli sent their apologies and were unable to attend due to other commitments.

LNP MP for Surfers Paradise John-Paul Langbroek. Photo Scott Powick Newscorp

Mr Langbroek confirmed he had Shadow Ministerial duties in Brisbane. Asked for his thoughts on his new opponent he said: “I’ll let the electorate pass judgement.

“But I never take my seat for granted.”

The Greens candidate Mr Quinn also spoke at the breakfast.

“My association with the Gold Coast goes back to the 1960s, which probably gives me some kind of age record here,” the Coast grandfather joked.

“The COVID-19 crisis has exposed the many problems our governments have failed to cope with.

“Examples abound, precarious employment, over-dependence on tourism and hospitality, homelessness and domestic violence.

“We have an unexpected and unparalleled opportunity to build a better future as we climb back from the current crisis.”

EARLIER:

THE Greens have named a former public servant and farmer as their challenger against longstanding Surfers Paradise LNP MP John-Paul Langbroek.

Part-time Griffith University researcher Nelson Quinn, formerly a farmer of 20 years, will stand against MP Langbroek, who was first elected to the seat in 2004.

Mr Quinn, who researches environmental law, is presently the only other candidate in the Surfers Paradise race.

Langbroek won with 69.8 per cent of the vote in the 2017 election, with a 0.6 per cent swing towards Labor.

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Nelson Quinn has been named The Greens candidate in the Gold Coast seat of Surfers Paradise. Photo: Supplied

Greens candidate Scott Turner, who is this time standing in Mudgeeraba, received 9.1 per cent of the vote with a 1.5 per cent swing in favour of the party.

Mr Quinn said the COVID-19 crisis had exposed the financial insecurity of many on the Gold Coast, as well as “how underfunded our essential services are”.

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“The Gold Coast needs investment in public services and infrastructure, not tax breaks for mining corporations and property developers,” he said.

“By investing in genuinely free public healthcare for all, we can create more than 300 jobs for doctors and nurses on the Gold Coast and more than two dozen community health centres with bulk-billing GPs.

LNP MP for Surfers Paradise John-Paul Langbroek. Photo Scott Powick Newscorp

“Our climb back from this economic crisis must be based on better planning, sustainable industry, a fairer society and community wellbeing.”

Political experts have already tipped Gold Coast voters may lean more in favour of the major parties for a sense of security following the pandemic.

The announcement of Mr Quinn comes as The Queensland Greens announce two other Gold Coast candidates.

Former policy adviser in the Department of the Prime Minister John Woodlock will stand in Theodore, while operations co-ordinator Lissy Gavranich will run in Coomera.

Mr Woodlock said the Gold Coast is facing a jobs and housing crisis he claims the major parties have failed to address.

“People are fed up with Labor and the LNP putting the interests of developers and big corporations ahead of residents,” he said.

John Woodlock has been named The Greens candidate in the Gold Coast seat of Theodore. Photo: Supplied

Lissy Gavranich has been named The Greens candidate in Coomera. Photo: Supplied

“If elected, I will fight to build 12,500 public houses on the Gold Coast, which will create more than 2500 jobs.”

Ms Gavranich has a background in IT and supporting Australian musicians in the music industry.

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“As a parent who works full time, I recognise the need for accessible, quality child care and public schooling,” she said.

“It’s time for our representatives to get back to what they were elected to do, which is serve the people.”

Candidates will on Thursday morning meet for the first major campaign event, a Meet The Candidates breakfast hosted by the Central Chamber of Commerce.