Murder-accused Gold Coast councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden accepts suspension from duties

The Gold Coast councillor charged with murdering his stepfather has accepted a suspension on full pay from his $160,000-a-year job after being issued with a “show cause” notice why he should not be stood down.

The Gold Coast councillor charged with murdering his stepfather has accepted a suspension on full pay from his $160,000-a-year job after being issued with a “show cause” notice why he should not be stood down.

Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden, the youngest ever person elected to Gold Coast City Council, was charged with murdering his allegedly abusive and controlling stepdad Robert Lumsden at their Arundel home last month.

He has been freed on Supreme Court bail but wanted to return to work at the council.

However, Local Government Minister and Acting Premier Steven Miles – acting on Crown law advice that Cr Bayldon-Lumsden would not be able to perform his duties properly – issued him with a “show cause” notice why he should not be suspended.

Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden has been charged with murdering his allegedly abusive and controlling stepdad Robert Lumsden at their Arundel home. Picture: Nigel Hallett

His lawyer Jason Murakami, of Behlau Murakami Grant, wrote to Mr Miles on Friday advising that the councillor would not be contesting the “show cause” notice.

Mr Murakami told Mr Miles that Cr Bayldon-Lumsden had decided to “place the needs of his (council) division and community before his own personal position”.

Speaking at a media conference on the Gold Coast on Friday morning, Mr Miles said Cr Bayldon-Lumsden’s decision was “the fairest outcome for everyone involved”.

“I think we’ve been very, very fair with the councillor,” he said.

Mr Miles said a special advisor could be appointed to represent Cr Bayldon-Lumsden’s constituents until the next council election in March.

He said the suspension would have to be revisited if Cr Bayldon-Lumsden decided to contest the election and he may have to remain suspended until his court proceedings were over.

Cr Bayldon-Lumsden’s case will now not return to court until next year, with police given several months to produce their evidence.

Gold Coast City Councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden will plead not guilty to the murder charge. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Scott Powick

The 30-year-old did not appear in person when his murder charge was briefly mentioned in Southport Magistrates Court on Friday morning.

It was the first time the case had returned to court since Cr Bayldon-Lumsden was granted bail.

The court was told police prosecutions would begin compiling a brief of evidence, which must be disclosed to the now-suspended councillor’s defence team by December 15.

Cr Bayldon-Lumsden’s case was adjourned to January 19. He will remain on bail and is excused from appearing at the next mention. 

Lawyer Ron Behlau, of Behlau Murakami Grant, did not respond to reporters’ questions as he left the courthouse.

Mr Murakami has said his client will plead not guilty to the murder charge.

Originally published as Murder-accused Gold Coast councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden accepts suspension from duties