Queensland Election 2020: Gold Coast candidates spending thousands on election campaign

Some Gold Coast election candidates are spending as little as $400 on their campaign, while others fork out $20,000 from their own pocket. But how much do you really need to run a successful election bid?

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SOME Gold Coast election candidates are spending as little as $400 on their campaign — while others fork out $20,000 from their own pocket in a bid to secure a seat.

Campaign strategists and candidates admit it could cost as much as $50,000 to have a chance of becoming an MP.

In a series of questions put to every candidate across the city, the Bulletin asked candidates:

* How much money they had spent on their campaign overall;

* How much they had received in donations and from whom;

* How much money they believed was necessary to run a successful campaign.

Burleigh MP Michael Hart confirmed a $20,000 personal donation he made to the LNP during a Bulletin election forum this month.

The Bulletin revealed Electoral Commission records showing Mr Hart donated the money to the party on October 16.

Labor’s Burleigh candidate Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew (right) and sitting member Michael Hart. Picture: Glenn Hampson

In 2016, he donated just $1500.

He admitted during questioning at the forum that the had donated the funds to “communicate more with (his) electorate”.

“There is no such thing as a safe seat anymore, so I take things very seriously,” he said.

Mr Hart did not respond to the Bulletin’s questions sent to all candidates about his overall spending.

Following the 2016 local government elections and reporting by the Bulletin, the CCC undertook an investigation leading to Operation Belcarra and key recommendations about election donations.

The government later backed a recommendation that donations from property developers would be banned at both the state and local government elections. This is the first Queensland poll where the rule changes are applying.

Crime and Corruption Commission chairman Allan MacSporran, QC sent a letter to all candidates.

The corruption watchdog was “proactively collating information from various sources including donations being made to registered political parties and candidates to better understand whether these give rise to any new or emerging corruption risks”.

“The CCC’s own intelligence assessment indicates that the lines between government and the private sector are blurring, with overlapping networks of association involving consultants, influencers, lobbyists and executives,” he said.

Mermaid Beach Labor candidate Dr Carl Ungerer accused his LNP opponent MP Ray Stevens of spending more out of fear of losing his seat.

Kristopher Bourbon. Picture: Facebook

“We have devoted lots of resources to this campaign, not the least of which are the dozen or so volunteers who have been working full time to support my campaign,” Dr Ungerer said.

“Ray is spending much more money on this campaign because he knows the race is going to be very tight.”

Coomera independent candidate Kris Bourbon said funding had been one of “the biggest restrictions” he had faced during the campaign.

“Due to myself not having a lot of it to spare at this time, I would say I have spent not much over $400,” he said.

“On top of that it is a bit hard to work out just how much exactly (I have spent) on fuel, the kilometres travelled back and forth speaking and meeting with people, arranging signs, etc.

“The only donation (is from) a friend of mine who kindly paid for my signs at a cost of $564.30.

“I for one think having to spend gigantic amounts of money on signage and big-ticket advertising takes from one’s ability to be genuine or to be seen as that.”

Another independent, Mermaid Beach’s Nicholas McArthur-Williams, said he had spent $3000, and had “no political or commercial dependencies”.

Asked how much he would need to run a successful campaign he said: “$30,000 to $50,000.”

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