Government to block Rockhampton’s quirky accidental mayor

Chris ‘Pineapple’ Hooper, who received just 30 per cent of the vote, was to become Rockhampton mayor after a shock resignation.

Chris Hooper is set to become Rockhampton mayor. Photo: Chris Ison/The Morning Bulletin

The Palaszczuk government will retrospectively amend the law to prevent the appointment of a Rockhampton mayoral candidate who won only 30 per cent of the vote to take the place of the resigning mayor.

The decision to urgently appeal the Local Government Act came after calls from Queensland’s local government association following the shock resignation of Rockhampton’s mayor led to a casual vacancy.

Under changes to the Local Government act that came into effect less than a month ago, the resignation or sacking of a mayor within 12 months of an election would lead to them being replaced by the closest runner-up.

Chris “Pineapple” Hooper is poised to become the central Queensland city’s new mayor after Margaret Strelow, who won 70 per cent of the vote in March, resigned following a misconduct finding relating to a trip she took that was paid for by Adani.

In a statement, Ms Strelow said she “absolutely” refuted the finding of the Councillor Conduct Tribunal, which determined that she “engaged in misconduct” in 2017 when she received hospitality from Adani on a trade mission to India.

The tribunal finding did not require Ms Strelow to resign but to issue an apology to her constituents and update her register of interests.

Margaret Strelow resigned following a misconduct finding relating to a trip she took that was paid for by Adani.

“I absolutely refute their finding,” Ms Strelow said in her resignation statement on Monday night.

“I acted at all times in accordance with my own conscience and on the advice of senior legal practitioners as well as on the advice of officers from the Department of Local Government.

“Remember this is about a day trip to one of Adani’s solar farms. Part of an official visit and normal day to day work for a Mayor.

“Itinerary drawn up by the Premier and my participation approved by full council.”

Queensland law mandates the automatic election of the runner up in a mayoral or councillor election if a vacancy occurs within the first 12 months of the term.

The quirk has essentially handed the robes to Mr Hooper, is known around Rockhampton for riding his bicycle barefoot into town from his bush block.

“I wish to apologise to my community who may now have a mayor who was not of your choosing,” Ms Strelow said.

Chris Hooper seen cycling around Rockhampton on one of his unique bikes. Photo: Chris Ison/The Morning Bulletin

“I remain hopeful that the government will find a way to allow you to have a by- election.

“Right up until the decision today I could not believe that a fair and independent tribunal could possibly find as they have done.”

Local Government Association of Queensland CEO Greg Hallam has called on the Palaszczuk Government repeal the legislation permitting the casual vacancy replacement.

The issue also applies to the Division 10 council position in Townsville City Council after the resignation of Les walker, who was successful in his tilt for state politics.
“In the case of the Townsville City Council, the next in line to fill the Division 10 vacancy, caused by Cr Les Walker’s election to State Parliament, received just 18.3 per cent of the vote,” Mr Hallam said.

“In council elections past, runner-up candidates have polled in the single digits.

“A by-election is the best way to ensure the candidates to fill these vacancies have the support of the people they will represent.”

Opposition Local Government spokeswoman Ann Leahy said Labor’s changes to legislation were a “farce”.

“Voters should decide on who will represent them as mayor in an election – it should not be who comes second or third,” Ms Leahy said.

“This mess is entirely Labor’s fault and the new Local Government Minister needs to act fast to fix it.

“The laws were rushed through the parliament this year without any scrutiny by a committee.

“Rockhampton now faces having a mayor they did not choose and that is anti-democratic.

“The residents of Rockhampton are also unable to nominate to stand for the Mayoral vacancy.”

On Tuesday, Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the government would amend the legislation as soon as possible.

“Once the new parliament is sworn in, the Palaszczuk Government will introduce and pass a bill to retrospectively amend the Local Government Act,” Mr Hinchliffe said in a statement on Tuesday.

“I have received advice that should this be completed at the earliest opportunity, any vacancies to any mayoral or councillor positions that have recently arisen will need to be filled through a by-election.

“This will ensure communities can have a proper vote to determine who represents them.”