Democracy sausages back in force at Toowoomba polling booths

They were banned at the council elections earlier this year because of COVID-19, but now democracy sausages have made a triumphant come back.

Owen Ford (left) and Geoffrey Bullock cook up the democracy sausage barbecue in a fundraiser for the Harristown State High School chaplain in the Queensland state election, Saturday, October 31, 2020. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Community groups have welcomed the reintroduction of democracy sausages across Toowoomba this state election.

Geoffrey Bullock and Owen Ford were this morning cooking up some snags at Harristown State High School to help fund the school’s chaplaincy program.

“We’re very, very grateful,” Mr Bullock said about the ability to fundraise again at elections.

Democracy sausages, and other community stalls, like bake sales, were outlawed at the local government elections in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tony and Shiralee Bateman enjoy their democracy sausage from a fundraiser for the Harristown State High School chaplain in the Queensland state election, Saturday, October 31, 2020. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“We’re at Harristown State High School making sausages and onion and providing food for the voters that come today,” Mr Bullock said.

“And we’re making money for the Harristown chaplain.”

Mr Ford said the school’s chaplain supported students going through difficult situations.

“We’re fundraising so we can pay him,” Mr Ford said.

Both Toowoomba North LNP MP Trevor Watts and his major challenger, Labor’s Megan O’Hara Sullivan have reported the pollings booths have been extremely quiet today.

“Someone was telling me about 70 per cent of people have already voted,” Cr O’Hara Sullivan said.