Team Hill candidates secure majority of top slots in election ballot draw

Townsville’s local government election race is heating up after Team Hill candidates secured the bulk of first positions in the ballot draw. See the full ballot order.

Leighton Smith

@LeightonESmith

2 min read

February 14, 2024 - 2:27PM

Townsville Bulletin

Election officials carrying out the ballot draw on Wednesday morning. Picture: Leighton Smith.

Townsville

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The Team Jenny Hill group has received a handy boost going into the final month of the local government election campaign, securing six top slots in the ballot draw, including the mayoral race.

The Electoral Commission Queensland’s temporary office in Woodman Ct, West End was abuzz with excitement on Wednesday morning with almost every candidate running in the upcoming March 16 election attending to see where they placed on the ballot.

Incumbent Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill’s announcement in the highly coveted top spot on the mayoral ballot drew an excited cheer from teammate Margie Ryder.

Cr Hill was followed by independent candidates Troy Thompson and recently announced contender Harry Patel.

For Division 1, incumbent councillor Margie Ryder will sit above former-councillor and leader of rival team Change, Paul Jacob on the ballot.

Candidates contesting Townsville's local government election gathered at ECQ's office for the ballot draw on Wednesday. Picture: Leighton Smith.

Team Hill’s Division 2 candidate Shari Fabbro is number one, followed by independent Brodie Phillips, and Change’s Jai Philpots.

Independent Alan Sheret will top the ballot in Division 3, then Change’s Jake Farrell, and incumbent councillor Ann-Maree Greaney.

Election officials carrying out the ballot draw on Wednesday morning. Picture: Leighton Smith.

The battle for the Upper Ross will see Kristian Price in the number one position for Divison 4, followed by deputy mayor and incumbent councillor Mark Molachino.

Team Hill’s incumbent councillor for Division 5 Russ Cook secured top spot ahead of Change’s Vera Dirou.

Results of the ballot draw for Townsville's mayoral race. Picture: Leighton Smith.

Content to support their fellow Team Hill candidates during the campaign, incumbent councillors Suzy Batkovic and Kurt Rehbein will run unopposed in Divisions 6 and 7.

Independent candidate Andrew Robinson nabbed the top spot for Division 8, followed by Change’s Guy Reece and Team Hill’s Rachael Armstrong.

In the most crowded race for Division 9, Team Hill’s Liam Mooney is in the box seat, followed by independents Michael Edmonds and Erica Keam, and The Greens candidate Benjamin Tiley.

Division 10 saw Team Hill’s Ben Fusco secure the top slot, followed by independents Kate Annetts and Brady Ellis.

Reflecting on nabbing the top spot on the mayoral ballot, Cr Hill was restrained.

“In the end the vast majority of people will judge you on what you do and what you say, and I think that’s what’s most important,” she said.

Team Hill's Ben Fusco, Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill, and Shari Fabbro secured first positions on their ballots. Picture: Leighton Smith.

“We’ve got four weeks, so it’s really the pointy end of the campaign. The community’s going to be looking for policies … (and) fresh ideas.”

Mr Thompson was unconcerned about the draw’s outcome saying, “I think the supporters in Townsville know the names and they’re conscious of who they want to vote for, but that’ll come down to the next four weeks of campaigning as well”.

Familiar with the unpredictability of ballot draws, Mr Jacob was happy to see the draw run fairly, saying that his team would continue to work hard over the coming weeks.

Early voting will begin on March 4 and run until March 15 (excluding the weekend).

For more information, visit: www.ecq.qld.gov.au