Financial backing for Councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden as he faces murder charge
The legal team for murder-accused Councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden have revealed their next move as residents and community leaders organise financial support. FULL UPDATE
Gold Coast
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The legal team for murder-accused city councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden say they expect his application for bail will be heard this week, as the community organises financial backing and support.
He was arrested at the scene and has remained in custody since.
Cr Bayldon-Lumsden’s lawyer Jason Murakami, of Behlau Murakami Grant, confirmed on Monday prominent barrister Craig Eberhardt KC had been brought onto his client’s defence team.
Mr Murakami said they anticipated Cr Bayldon-Lumsden’s bail application would proceed before the Supreme Court in the coming days.
“I can confirm Mr Eberhardt has been briefed in the matter and will be appearing on behalf of Mr Bayldon-Lumsden in his bail application, which we expect will take place later this week,” Mr Murakami said.
Mayor Tom Tate last week confirmed the councillor would remain the Division 7 representative while facing the murder charge.
It comes as residents, community leaders and retailers continue organising financial backing and letters of support for Cr Bayldon-Lumsden while he is in custody.
A female resident has asked the community to back a GoFundMe page to help with his legal fees. Others want a barbecue when his favourite park projects are opened.
Bonney MP Sam O’Connor was given a “leave pass” from State Parliament last Thursday to help with the grieving in the Labrador, Parkwood and Arundel community.
On his official Facebook page, MP Mr O’Connor wrote it had been a “really tough couple of days” and great to help out at the Labrador State School Under 8’s Day.
A resident asked him to be “closer to home while we have these troubled times”.
“I was fortunate to get permission to leave Parliament early yesterday which let me come home and catch up with some people,” Mr O’Connor said.
“Thankfully I’ve only got a couple of days of travel as a shadow minister next week so I’ll be around. I know how devastated people across our community are and I’ll be here to support as many locals as I can.”
A retailer at Arundel Plaza on a community Facebook page wrote: “Can check with management and if they are okay with it I am more than happy to start up a book and everyone who wants to show their support to Ryan can do so.”
A female resident who “received care and support from Ryan” has received more than 160 responses after suggesting a GoFundMe page to help with his legal fees.
“I’m not trying to start a debate, I’m just interested to know if those who are in support of Ryan would like to band together during this time and do something for him, If you don’t support him please just don’t comment, it will just start arguments,” the woman wrote.
More than 160 people responded with a majority wanting to help with his legal fees. Others were respectful of loss of his stepfather and impact across the family.
Southport community leader Judith de Boer posted: “Ryan is one of the finest young men I have ever seen at work in our community.”
The Womens Cancer Support GC posted: “We stand with you Ryan.”
Mayor Tom Tate last Thursday said the councillor would remain the Division 7 representative while facing a charge he allegedly killed his stepdad.
Mr Tate, who counts Mr Bayldon-Lumsden as a friend, said he wanted to catch up with his colleague if he receives bail.
“I’d rather him concentrate on the bail hearing after that you know if he’s out I’d want to have a catch up, see how he’s feeling and really be in a support mode of how he can get through this with him and his family,” he said.
State Local Government Minister Steven Miles has requested advice from his department and will consider a range of actions within days from the councillor taking leave to other options.
Mr Bayldon-Lumsden remains an LNP member.
He and his family, including the late Mr Lumsden, are longstanding party members, heavily involved in local branches in the city’s north, including taking part in candidate preselection.
It’s understood the councillor’s membership will be suspended within days pending the outcome of court proceedings. It will be discussed when the party membership committee next meets.
Mr Tate said support was being offered to all council staff who needed it, particularly Mr Bayldon-Lumsden’s team in the Division 7 office.
“We have got human resources talking to them and seeing how they are,” he said.
“We want to make sure that if anyone needs consoling then all the resources will be available for that.”
The councillor’s Parkwood office was closed late last week.
Originally published as Financial backing for Councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden as he faces murder charge
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