This was published 5 years ago
Second Brisbane councillor to run in federal election
By Lydia Lynch
A second Brisbane City councillor will throw her hat in the ring at the next federal election.
Cr Angela Owen, who is chair of the council, has been preselected as the LNP candidate for the federal seat of Moreton.
Angela Owen will run in the federal election. Credit: Angela Owen/Facebook
Cr Owen was elected in 2008 and began running council meetings at City Hall in 2015.
The former accountant represents Calamvale ward on council, which abuts the Moreton electorate.
"I am humbled by the support I have received from locals," she wrote in a statement.
“To contest the seat of Moreton is an extension of my commitment to serve the people of the southside of Brisbane.
“As an accountant I can foresee the devastating impacts the Labor policies will have on the community, from the cradle to the grave.”
Brisbane Times understands Cr Owen will not resign from council while she contests the election.
However, Deputy opposition leader Jared Cassidy said Cr Owen should stand down from her council duties.
"That Angela Owen would keep her $200,000 publicly funded pay packet while running as an LNP candidate in a federal seat is the height of arrogance," he said.
"Ratepayers are already angry that the LNP administration uses their money to advertise themselves. Now their rates are being used to fund a political campaign for a Councillor that looks like she is just doing it for fun."
Moreton has been held since 2007 by former teacher, solicitor and education union organiser, Graham Perrett.
The marginal electorate stretches from the riverside suburbs of Chelmer, Sherwood and Corinda in the north, west to Mt Gravatt and south to Sunnybank Hills and Acacia Ridge.
If Cr Owen wins Moreton, she would be the first woman to hold the seat since federation.
Her announcement comes days after fellow LNP councillor Julian Simmonds bid farewell to City Hall in order to pursue greater political ambitions and lord mayor Graham Quirk announced he would be quitting politics all together.
The Cr Simmonds (Walter-Taylor Ward) will resign from council as soon as the federal election is called and will run in seat of Ryan.
Brisbane's next lord mayor will be selected in a closed-door meeting of the LNP party room on Sunday, after Graham Quirk announced he would step down from the role on April 7.