Mayor Tom Tate’s war of words with business boss over Surfers Paradise’s future

A war of words between Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce boss Martin Hall and Mayor Tom Tate was sparked by an unexpected turn of events which has divided city leaders.

A WAR of words between Chamber of Commerce boss Martin Hall and Mayor Tom Tate was sparked by a speech at an LNP function which appeared to criticise Gold Coast City Council.

The cold war between the pair blew up last week over the future of Surfers Paradise and calls for business to have a greater role.

Cr Tate took aim at the Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce, saying Surfers Paradise used to have a strong chamber voice but these days it “seems to have caught laryngitis because I haven’t heard boo from them”.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate Photo: Tertius Pickard

He added: “It’s a good thing for politicians when an advocacy group goes to sleep because you don’t have to answer to them but this is taking it to the next level.”

But the Bulletin can reveal the Mayor’s fury towards Mr Hall had been simmering for days after a speech to the LNP’s Bonney Branch, which the Chamber boss is chairman of.

Mr Hall said in his remarks: “Having been an LNP member for close to 10 years now, this next 12 months is going to be a very interesting one.”

“ (2024) will see what I personally hope, a new and more fit for purpose city Council in March and in October, an equally new and ready to govern state government because we all know we need one,” he said.

Sam O'Connor.

Mr Hall used much of his speech to discuss the issues facing small business.

He also praised Bonney MP Sam O’Connor, and suggested how the LNP can better engage with voters after last year’s bruising electoral defeat.

“For those of us here that stood for hours in the rain last year during the federal election at various polling booths witnessed, we seem to have a very disconnected voter on our hands,” he said.

Martin Hall. Picture Glenn Hampson

“While I hope we are safe here in Bonney, I cannot be so confident for our other seats on the Coast.

“So if the time comes and the balloon goes up for help, it is vital that we help our community members in other seats defend or indeed win for the LNP.

Mr Hall declined to comment about the speech on Sunday. He last week said the Mayor’s comments had left him “lost for words”

Mr Tate and Mr Hall’s relationship deteriorated during the pandemic over a range of issues, including the size and scope of support for struggling small businesses as well as protocols put in place to prevent the spread of Covid.

Business lobby chief vs Mayor Tate: Round II

THE head of the Gold Coast business lobby will continue to welcome the Mayor to its events despite the latter’s recent spray that he hasn’t “heard boo from them”.

Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce president Martin Hall, locked in a war of words with Mayor Tom Tate, writes in an opinion column in Saturday’s Bulletin: “We have and will continue to invite the mayor to attend and partake in our events, however to date these have not been accepted.

“From memory, the last Chamber event our mayor attended was the last council election ‘Meet the Candidates’ forum we hosted at Q1 in the run up to the last council election.”

Mr Hall’s comments come after their verbal back-and-forth went into overdrive this week, with Mayor Tate asked if he planned to work with business leaders on future upgrade plans for Surfers Paradise.

Mr Tate took aim at the chamber, saying Surfers Paradise used to have a strong chamber voice but these days it “seems to have caught laryngitis because I haven’t heard boo from them”. He added: “It’s a good thing for politicians when an advocacy group goes to sleep because you don’t have to answer to them but this is taking it to the next level.”

Asked on Friday for his view on the council-approved $40m first-stage revitalisation of Surfers Paradise that will focus on Cavill Mall, Mr Hall said: “Wildly supportive of any enhancements to Surfers Paradise and I’ve talked about that for a longtime.

“We saw the automatic reaction the improvements of the Paradise Centre development had, and the impression it had on visitors old and new,” he said of the $35 million upgrade of the centre’s beachfront end.

“We’ve talked about the notion of putting lipstick on a pig for years and it’s great to see runs on the board and people actually walking the walk.”

EARLIER: TOM Tate’s war of words with the Gold Coast’s leading chamber of commerce has reignited over the future of Surfers Paradise.

The Gold Coast City Council is under pressure to deliver a revamp of the Glitter Strip and work closely with business leaders to ensure private property facelifts are co-ordinated with public works.

Robina councillor Hermann Vorster said it had become an “elephant graveyard of council decorations and rusted memorabilia”.

When asked if he planned to work with business leaders on future Surfers plans, the Mayor took aim at the Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce, claiming it was not active in advocating for the area.

“We used to have a strong chamber of commerce in Surfers Paradise they were the voice of business but nowadays the chamber seems to have caught laryngitis because I haven’t’ heard boo from them,” said Mr Tate, who was previously head of the now-defunct Surfers Paradise Chamber of Commerce

“While they are silent, it’s a good thing for politicians when an advocacy group goes to sleep because you don’t have to answer to them but this is taking it to the next level.

“I say to businesses that if you are serious and want things done, we are happy to co-ordinate and redo it with a capital improvement program.”

Chamber president Martin Hall, who has had a tense relationship with the Mayor declared himself “lost for words” over Mr Tate’s comments.

“Clearly my memory must have lapsed after all the meetings we had during Covid and the open sessions we have had with the mayor and his chief of staff,” Mr Hall said.

“There have also been many interactions through the media and the continued offer of support for consultation between business and decision makers. It is important to note that since the Surfers Paradise chamber was abolished many years ago, a far broader brush has been used across the Gold Coast to ensure that more voices are heard through our many events each month.”

Mr Hall said he was “always happy” to meet with councillors and the mayor.

Mr Tate and Mr Hall’s relationship deteriorated during the pandemic over a range of issues, including the size and scope of support for struggling small businesses as well as protocols put in place to prevent the spread of Covid.

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Originally published as Mayor Tom Tate’s war of words with business boss over Surfers Paradise’s future