Calls for next Premier to be special minister for Gold Coast to boost city profile ahead of Games

CITY leaders want the Gold Coast to get special recognition in the next state cabinet, with support growing for a Glitter Strip “ministry”.

Exterior photos of the old Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) Chambers in Southport. Picture: JERAD WILLIAMS

CITY leaders want the Gold Coast to get special recognition in the next state cabinet, with support growing for a Glitter Strip “ministry”.

Gold Coast city councillors and business heads are lobbying State MPs from both major parties for the next premier to also be a “special minister for the Gold Coast” to boost the region’s profile ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

With Labor likely to form government without a single Gold Coast MP in its ranks, there are fears the city could be left “out in the cold” politically.

City finance boss William Owen-Jones said the state’s second-biggest city deserved its own ministry, particularly with the Games only three years away.

“Regardless of who the next premier is, I would welcome the idea of (the premier) also having the position of special minister for the Gold Coast,” Cr Owen-Jones said.

Jann Stuckey, pictured here with former Premier and Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Legacy Board Chairman Rob Borbidge, was the Games Minister during the Newman Government era.

“We have 10 members here on the Gold Coast and we cannot be out in the wilderness.

“The premier and special minister could obviously have an office set up at the Southport CBD or at the Broadwater Parklands.”

The Southport CBD offices are occupied by city councillor Dawn Crichlow and Mayor Tom Tate, who spends half his week there.

The historic Art Deco building, the council’s original chambers, has several meeting rooms and offices.

The idea is not without precedent — Anna Bligh was regarded as the unofficial Gold Coast minister during the early years of the Beattie era before the 2001 Labor landslide brought seven new local members into parliament.

While the make-up of the LNP’s leadership team remains unknown, the idea is unlikely to gain any traction with Labor, which has promised to cut cabinet posts from 19 to 14.

“I just cannot see the new premier singling out the Gold Coast because I am sure the other cities would take offence,” Cr Crichlow said.

Premier Anna Bligh, with Gold Coast Games bid boss when the city was announced as host of the 2018 Games in 2011.

“However, I do think if Labor gets into office they should halt the sale of the old hospital site, sell off the Taj Mahal building in Brisbane and instead move a government department down here.

“We would love to have the Department of Sports and Recreation on the Gold Coast for the Commonwealth Games.”

The position of Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Minister was created by the Bligh Government in 2011 and held by Ms Bligh.

Currumbin MP Jann Stuckey held the portfolio during the Newman Government.