Far North council candidate vows to fight on, following by-election snub

Mareeba Shire Council will seek to hold a by-election via postal vote to fill a vacant councillor position this, overlooking the nearest runner-up in the process.

Former Australian Federal Police officer Mladen Bosnic (Boz) campaigned to become a Mareeba councillor in 2020 and 2024. Image: Peter Roy Photography

Mareeba Shire Council will seek to fill a vacant councillor position via postal vote later this year, overlooking the nearest runner-up in the process.

But the unlucky candidate has criticised the decision, declaring the councillors’ arguments for going back to the polls didn’t “pass the pub test”.

The council held a special meeting this week to determine a course of action, following the death of Cr Kevin Davies last month.

As the vacancy occurred within a year of the last election, the Local Government Act 2009 requires the council to decide whether a by-election should be held, or offer the vacancy to the runner-up.

Mladen Bosnic, who narrowly missed out on becoming a councillor last March, said while the council had adhered to the Act, the decision was still wrong.

“I’m going to maintain the rage,” the 69-year-old retiree said.

“I just want the community to know that there was an easier and less costly option out there.

“If it had been after the last 12 months they could have gone to the by-election.

“But when you look at the expense, you’ve got councils screaming out for money during a cost of living crisis and you’re to spend money on this, it doesn’t pass the pub test.

“There’s also electoral fatigue among voters ahead of the federal election.”

But Mayor Angela Toppin said the decision was made in the best interests of her constituents.

“We believe that the community should decide who sits on council, not the councillors,” Ms Toppin said.

“Our decision looked at several factors, namely the time since the last election, the results of that election and the cost of holding a by-election.

“After serious consideration, the holding of a by-election was seen as being in the best interests of the community.

“Given that nearly a year has passed since the last election, we want the community to have their say in who represents them.”

Council will write to Local Government Minister Ann Leahy to consider conducting a postal vote in a bid to lower costs.

Despite the snubbing, Mr Bosnic said he’ll still contest the by-election once an election date is announced.

“I’ll stick my hand up again,” he said. “It’s my civic duty and responsibility. I came here (to Mareeba) at the age of five … I’m involved with Crime Stoppers and the community.

“I do part-time work with Queensland Corrections and I will run again. I just don’t think it was a smart decision by the council.”

According to the Electoral Commission of Queensland, Mr Bosnic received a little over 7.5 per cent of the vote at the 2024 election last March.

Originally published as Far North council candidate vows to fight on, following by-election snub