Rabbit’s legacy for Burleigh as light rail heads south on the Coast

Members of a new anti-tram group are being accused of being chardonnay-sipping socialists with a secret agenda. But not everything is as it seems, writes Paul Weston.

• Shock post about anti-light rail group
• Everything you need to know about light rail

LIGHT rail has a new anti-tram group. Leaders of Save Our Southern Gold Coast (SOSGC) have been accused of being Labor stooges.

Are they “true believers” and Lefties?

Burleigh MP Michael Hart made the accusation on his official Facebook page as he took a crystal ball view of his political future with Stage 4 of the trams being planned on a coastal route from Burleigh to the airport.

Michael Hart and Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew at the polling booth. Picture Glenn Hampson

He suggested SOSGC would meet with Transport Mark Bailey and just before the next state election deliver a compromise solution that appeased residents. Someone high profile from the group would then run against him.

Mr Hart posted photographs of SOSGC’s Kath Down and Andrew McKinnon when they supported their mate, Labor candidate Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew, during the 2020 poll.

Part of this deep south political soap opera features petitioner Karen Rowles who encouraged anti-tram people to hold up placards at the recent SOSGC launch.

Ms Rowles regards Mr Hart and Councillor Daphne McDonald as saviours of the south.

By contrast, the placards depict Transport Minister Mark Bailey as a “wanted” man out of a western movie. Ms Rowles always signs off #nothhappytate – a reference to Mayor Tom Tate.

Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew, Andrew McKinnon and Kath Down during the State election campaign.

Are Ms Down and Mr McKinnon closet Chardonnay-sipping socialists? You know, copy of Marx’s Communist Manifesto by the glass of white on the dining room table types.

They worked on Rabbit’s campaign, for sure. Are they in the Left, the Old Guard or as Sir Joh once said “Mud Guard” faction? Reds under the bed or in Burleigh by the tram tracks?

A well-placed source told your columnist: “Kath and Andy are not members of the Labor Party. It’s just Michael trying to stir mischief.

“Rabbit was running basically on his reputation, his reputation as a deal maker. He was going to represent what was best for the southern Gold Coast which is why we all supported him.”

The former world surfing champion enjoys riding a board, not so much a tram. Gifted a remarkable sense of balance, he is a political pragmatist.

He knew the Broadbeach to Burleigh tram line was a done deal. His promise as a Labor candidate was to improve consultation on the next stage to the border.

“Michael is worried. You can see it from his comments. The Labor Party will roll him next time because they’ve consulted and listened on light rail,” the source added.

Well, on that part, perhaps not. Rabbit has most likely run his only race.

On a two-party preferred basis, Mr Hart had 51.21 per cent of the vote compared to Mr Bartholomew’s 48.79 per cent. Interestingly, the veteran MP lost all the Palm Beach booths where he should have been supported most. Don’t you anti-light rail placard people vote?

He made a $20,000 personal donation to the LNP to turbo boost his campaign. He, like all MPs, was advantaged by early mail-outs to voters and contact with aged care facilities. Mr Bartholomew was not helped by the Covid shutdown on doorknocking.

Labor will find it almost impossible to sign up a candidate of Mr Bartholomew’s profile next time around. Among the surfers and smart environmentalists let alone mates, he swings votes.

Perhaps Mr Hart is on to something though.

A green-leaning, anti-tram but middle-of-the-road protester, with a Pinot Gris and Xavier Rudd CD by a surfing book on the bedside table – yes Labor should seriously consider a future candidate who fits in nicely with the south’s laid-back beach vibe.

Mr Bartholomew’s legacy may be leaving the formula and footprint for the ALP to win back the seat.

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