Gold Coast MPs go head-to-head for Queensland Day
The Premier David Crisafulli has had to play referee as his Gold Coast MPs turned on each other in a paroochial publish stoush. Read what happened.
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The new state government is already at war with itself - over the best parts of the greatest state in Australia.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has had to play referee for his “warring” Gold Coast MPs.
Normally clashing with the Opposition, his Gold Coast MPs turned on each other in jest in Surfers Paradise on Friday in the launch of a new round of Local Legends Awards.
The friendly feud was sparked after the Premier declared nominations open for the Local Legends Awards ahead of Queensland Day on June 6.
“Someone who’s volunteered for many decades at the footy club, someone who donates clothing to get children to school. It might be someone who feeds the homeless. We don’t care what it is. We just want local legends to be acknowledged,” he said.
“We want Queenslanders to give them their moment in the sun. We’re not looking for the high-profile people. We’re not looking for the superstars. We’re looking for grassroots people who make your part of the world that little bit more special by what they do.”
Alongside Local Legends, Queenslanders are also encouraged to take part in a ‘All the Best’ campaign, celebrating the state’s favourite produce and places across 15 categories including meat pies, beaches and pubs.
The Premier encouraged his Gold Coast MPs to nominate the best from their backyards in a get together on the Surfers Paradise beachfront on Friday.
“Of course, Mermaid Beach is the best beach in Queensland,” Member for Mermaid Ray Stevens said.
“We’ve got a lot of great legends helping out down there.”
But Currumbin MP Laura Gerber said: “I’d like to challenge Ray on the best beaches. I’m nominating the beaches in Currumbin and of course our beautiful Snapper Rocks.”
First-term MP Hermann Vorster: “Nice try to the Members for Mermaid Beach and Currumbin, because of course, Burleigh Beach is the world’s best beach, not just Queensland’s,” Mr Vorster said.
“Really proud to look after it, and it’s going to be a sensational finalist if the community gets behind that nomination.”
Bonney’s Sam O’Connor played to his area’s strengths laying claim to the state’s best pub.
“My political career has been building up to this point where I can bring a chicken parmigiana to a press conference,” Mr O’Connor said. “That’s what I’ve got here from the Grand Hotel in Labrador.”
Member for Theodore Mark Boothman arrived with Superman and Wonder Woman – in a nod to his electorate’s theme parks.
Asked for his view, Mr Crisafulli: “It’s like picking a favourite child and I won’t be doing that.
“Let’s get people excited about what makes the state great. Part of that is going to work and working hard and coming home and having a beer and enjoying all that is great.”
Nominations for Local Legends and the Best of Awards are open online until Sunday, June 1.
Where to get viral Dubai chocolate on the Gold Coast
A new dessert shop on the Gold Coast is serving the viral Dubai pistachio strawberries with melted chocolate drizzled on top, and residents say they are “obsessed”.
From protector to predator: Victim reveals hidden evil of ‘hero’ Coast cop
He was a respected highway cop, a familiar face on the Gold Coast for decades. But he hid a terrible secret, one finally exposed years later after a chilling phone call. Now his victim has told his story.