Veteran councillor causing election friction

Veteran Southport councillor is playing a bigger role in the election than expected, upsetting other candidates and causing a row online.

VETERAN Southport councillor Dawn Crichlow is expected to play a bigger role in the local government election than just endorsing council worker Shaelee Welchman as her successor.

The decision by Cr Crichlow to back Ms Welchman has upset other candidates and caused a row on candidate Facebook pages.

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Division Six candidate Shaelee Welchman is backed by veteran councillor Dawn Crichlow in Southport.

Division 6, which will produce one of four new faces at City Hall after the March 28 poll, is shaping up as the city’s most intense political battle.

Brooke Patterson has been campaigning the longest but has been unable to get Cr Crichlow’s endorsement, which campaign insiders suggest might give Ms Welchman the edge in what could be a close finish.

“Dawn is doing more than endorse. She’s all in and will actively campaign with Shaelee right up to the 28th of March (on polling day),’’ said a campaign spokesman for Ms Welchman.

“She will be instructing her around all nursing homes, community groups and businesses, writing to the electorate, handing out at pre-poll and appearing together on signage.”

Rival candidate Josephine Tobias went on Facebook to tell the Welchman camp Cr Crichlow had indicated to her that she was not endorsing any candidate.

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Josephine Tobias shocked by Cr Crichlow’s decision. Picture: Jerad Williams.

A Welchman campaign spokesperson wrote in a response to Ms Tobias: “Dawn was never going to endorse any candidate until Shaelee announced. Dawn has backed her because Shaelee is a senior and successful council leader and has helped deliver major projects like the Broadwater Parklands, light rail and Chinatown.”