Surfers Paradise absence of Labor campaign material ‘dangerous’ for democracy

The popular MP for Surfers Paradise is accusing Labor of virtually turning its back on the Gold Coast, as an expert warns Labor’s absence is creating a democratic deficit. FULL DETAILS

The LNP Member for Surfers Paradise John-Paul Langbroek is accusing Labor of all but turning its back on the Gold Coast with a scant campaign in his safe seat.

Surfers Paradise – one of the safest conservative seats in Queensland – sports a virtual absence of Labor campaign material, prompting political scientist Paul Williams to warn a lack of party presence can be dangerous to a democracy.

“It’s not good for society and it’s not good for democracy,” he said. “Labor needs to fly the flag because there are still Labor voters there and they need an opportunity to be heard.”

Dr Williams said while “pointless” for Labor to spend its little resources on LNP bolthole Surfers Paradise, it was still vital to have a presence.

Election signage in the electorate of Surfers Paradise. It includes Surfers Paradise itself as well as Main Beach, Broadbeach, Broadbeach Waters, Clear Island Waters and parts of Bundall, Benowa and Carrara. Picture: Ashleigh Jansen

“No one’s surprised Labor’s given up the ghost – but even political parties that can’t win need to make the effort.

“It creates a democratic deficit and it made people feel unlistened to.”

As the LNP and minor party One Nation plaster material around the electorate and polling booths, it’s hard to find a shred of Labor campaigning.

Surfers Paradise constituents were asked at the Ashmore Rd early polling booth this week if they knew who their Labor candidate was. None did.

Mr Langbroek, the LNP state member for Surfers Paradise since 2004, said Labor had “turned their back” on the Gold Coast, with its primary focus on Meaghan Scanlon’s seat of Gaven where she is being challenged by LNP’s Bianca Stone.

“There’s just no effort in Surfers Paradise at all,” he said.

“Previous candidates have done much more. If you’re going to have a go, have a go. We’ve got people trying in every seat, even the ones we consider safest.”

Mr Scanlon said Labor “definitely did” have posters up.

“Unfortunately it seems as though a lot of Labor corflutes have been taken down and the LNP ones have not,” she said.

“I’ll let others read into that.”

Labor’s Surfers Paradise candidate James Knight said: “I’m working hard to get every vote I can by talking to people about the Miles Labor government’s plan to do what matters for Gold Coasters.

Election signage in the electorate of Surfers Paradise. It includes Surfers Paradise itself as well as Main Beach, Broadbeach, Broadbeach Waters, Clear Island Waters and parts of Bundall, Benowa and Carrara. Picture: Ashleigh Jansen

“We are making records investments in health and delivering cost-of-living relief like 50 cent fares and $1000 off energy bills. This is at risk under the LNP who have $17 billion in unfunded promises meaning it will cut what matters and take Surfers Paradise backwards.”

Dr Williams said Labor “had never” taken Surfers Paradise seriously.

“It’s all about resources. Labor hasn’t got a lot of money and what they have got they probably want to keep to defend their seat and maybe get back a seat at the next federal election, whereas the LNP has a lot of donors and a lot of cash. So it’s a question of resource allocation and sandbagging the seats it needs to hold,” he said.

“Now the tide is out – everyone in the Labor Party knows they’re going to lose and lose significantly.”

Originally published as Surfers Paradise absence of Labor campaign material ‘dangerous’ for democracy