The Good, The Bad & The GC Crazy: Top stories from Gold Coast’s politics this week
Gold Coast MPs tossed out after causing screaming matches across Parliament, how the new CEO really feels about the light rail and the new dive site which could cost $8k to use – here’s the good, the bad and the Gold Coast crazy from this week.
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Gold Coast MPs tossed out after causing screaming matches across Parliament, how the new CEO really feels about the light rail and the new dive site which could cost $8k to use – here’s the good, the bad and the Gold Coast crazy from this week.
1. COAST MP TOSSED OUT OF PARLIAMENT
Gold Coast MP Ros Bates had her question thrown out of Parliament for a second time for questioning whether a toddler’s death mattered to the government and calling the Premier “arrogant and out of touch”.
She was later ordered out of the chamber over her comments.
2. NEW CEO WEIGHS IN ON LIGHT RAIL, CITY FUTURE
New Gold Coast City Council CEO David Edwards has opened up to the Bulletin about dealing with Mayor Tom Tate and 14 independent councillors, his views on light rail and how the city can recover from COVID-19.
3. TATE CALLS OUT CEO ‘WITCH HUNT’
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has challenged colleagues to speak up about the new CEO, whom he believes has been subjected to a “witch hunt”.
Several city councillors were furious with Councillor Tate after not being updated on misconduct findings against Mr Edwards after they voted 14-1 to approve his appointment, ending an 18-year reign by Dale Dickson.
4. $8K TO USE NEW DIVE SITE
THE Gold Coast’s new dive precinct is favoured to be called Wonder Reef and cost from $25 to at least $8000 to use.
The council will put the official name of the city’s new tourist attraction out for a “media competition” with residents able to rate options discussed by stakeholders and put forward their own ideas.
5. RIVAL MPS JOIN FORCES ON PLASTICS BAN
A GOLD Coast MP says he pulled “two boatloads” of plastic waste from the Broadwater in a rare show of solidarity between the city’s youngest ministers.
Bonney MP Sam O’Connor and Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon have backed a bill to ban single-use plastics across the state.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
And the winner of this week’s Quote of the Week Gold Coast MP Mark Boothman, who during a push to support small breweries also weighed in on his beer preferences.
“I remember that back in my youth my neighbours and I used to drink a lot of Carlton
Cold,” he said.
“I must say that was not the best product out there — no disrespect to Carlton Cold and Victorians.
“Our craft brewers up here in Queensland do produce a far better and more palatable product.”
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