Veteran journalist Paul Weston warns a storm is building in boardrooms across the city

OPINION: Veteran journalist Paul Weston says a storm is building inside the boardrooms and offices in what remains a politically conservative city.

Gold Coast Bulletin, Paul Weston

A STORM is building inside the boardrooms and offices in what remains a politically conservative city.

It is potentially longer lasting than the rains and winds outside, and promises to be more damaging to the Gold Coast than sand erosion on the beaches.

This is all about maintaining the confidence building in the lead up to the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

In government offices, employees watch those in senior ranks who were linked with the LNP and speculate if they will keep their positions. Small business leaders wonder about jobs growth.

And asked whether employers were concerned about the drenching rain, a business leader told your columnist: “They are more worried about the new government coming in.

“I’ve just been to a meeting with 15 people discussing the Commonwealth Games. How are these new Labor Ministers going to handle so many portfolios?”

Businessmen want to know what is Labor’s plan for the Coast, given the ALP went to the polls on the single issue of not selling off public assets like Wavebreak Island.

Who do our businessmen contact in George St, given no ALP candidates won on the Coast?

Minister for Everything Kate Jones visited the tourist strip yesterday and will be the most likely contact given her Commonwealth Games portfolio but she must also handle Tourism, Small Business and Education.

Business leaders are unaware what will happen to critical projects like the second stage of light rail to heavy rail at Helensvale, to which the Newman Government gave the green light.

Labor insiders admit the minority government is a consequence of taking the Coast for granted during the campaign.

Rowan Holzberger in Southport two weeks out from the poll knew he was a 50-50 chance but the party could not afford to send down more troops.

Despite a professional campaign from Michael Riordan in Gaven, the experienced Labor candidate did not get a visit from the Opposition leader in an electorate the LNP was not confident about winning.

Would Labor have won back Burleigh, if there was stronger signage and support?

Former Gold Coast-based Labor Minister Peter Lawlor acknowledges the party must win Southport and Burleigh to ensure its survival in government in the longer term.

“(Peter) Beattie was right. If you want to become a long term Labor Government, we have to hold seats on the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast,” Mr Lawlor said.

“We have to put in more effort and recognition in those areas. It was too little too late. If we had got the resources much earlier, we would have definitely won Gaven.”

ALP candidate Penny Toland is committed to working in Broadwater in the next three years, and the campaign unearthed younger talent like Josh Blundell-Thornton in Surfers Paradise.

Labor has three years to cast some light on the tourist strip, begin working on its vision before launching a proper campaign where voters will determine if it obtains majority