First-time mayor campaigner Min Swan reflects on strong result in Sunshine Coast Council election

A stand-up Sunshine Coast mayor contender who has recorded a surprise result said voters wanted to see change. DETAILS

A stand-up Sunshine Coast mayor contender said voters wanted to see change, while indicating strong support for a female mayor.

First-time mayoral campaigner Min Swan has recorded a strong result in the 2024 local government election for Sunshine Coast Council, polling 16.46 per cent of the vote, with just over 74 per cent of the vote counted.

The mayoral race is currently neck-and-neck between TV personality Rosanna Natoli and prominent community leader Ashley Robinson OAM. 

Meanwhile, Ms Swan trails Jason O’Pray, a councillor of 12 years experience, by just over 5 per cent of the vote, on a voting day where community members were forced to deal with long lines and polling booths running out of ballot papers, sparking anger and frustration.

Sunshine Coast Council mayoral campaigner Min Swan cast her vote at Mountain Creek State School.

The result has landed Ms Swan plaudits from those invested in politics across the Sunshine Coast.

“I have had people in politics messaging me to say to go from a stand up start to that type of result, especially to be as close to a sitting councillor, is an amazing result,” Ms Swan said.

“I can only take solace in that really, I’m really happy to have gotten the result that I’ve gotten in such a short period of time.

“I made this decision in late November, early December and I didn’t really start campaigning until the second week of January, so that’s a very short period of time.”

Sunshine Coast Council mayoral campaigner Min Swan with her kids Smith and Paige at Mountain Creek State School.

Ms Swan said the people of the Sunshine Coast sent a clear message on election day.

“The voters really wanted to see change, that was very obvious,” she said.

“They were very supportive of a female mayor which you can see from the results.

“Even my own results supported the fact they were keen on a female in the mayoral seat.”

Fellow mayoral contender Rosanna Natoli also saw strong support for a female mayor on election day.

“I had voters coming up to me and saying “we need a woman,” Mrs Natoli said.

“There was a really strong feeling for a different style of leadership.”

Min Swan received strong support from the business community on the Sunshine Coast. Picture: Iwan Jones

A prominent businesswoman, Ms Swan said she was proud of her ability to expand past her business network and gain traction with the wider community.

“I’ve got a very wide business audience and I just wasn’t sure how I could reach beyond that, but I absolutely reached across the Coast,” Ms Swan said.

“I have reached far outside of my original field so I’m really happy with that.”

Originally published as First-time mayor campaigner Min Swan reflects on strong result in Sunshine Coast Council election