Colourful Greens councillor Jonathan Sriranganathan set to stand down

Jonathan Sriranganathan might run against Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at the next state election in October 2024, or he might organise Queensland’s biggest-ever protest against climate change.

He might stand as the Greens mayoral candidate in March 2024. He might not. But one thing is certain. South Brisbane, Woolloongabba and West End will soon have a new representative after the high-profile Greens councillor announced on Sunday that he’ll be standing down.

Greens Gabba Ward councillor Jonathan Sriranganathan with his replacement, arts worker and DJ Trina Massey.

“Maybe I’ll run in Coorparoo, maybe I’ll move out to Inala and run against Annastacia Palaszczuk at the next state election,” he said.

“Maybe I’ll live out of my van for a few months and travel between music festivals. Maybe I’ll organise a blockade against a coal mine somewhere. I’m still working it out.”

The Gabba Ward’s three-term representative – Brisbane’s first successful Greens councillor – will make his final council speech on Tuesday before standing down at the end of April.

His first election in March 2016, with Labor preferences, was a catalyst for wins by Greens Amy MacMahon in state parliament in 2020 and Max Chandler-Mather at federal level in 2022 in overlaying inner-city seats. Larissa Waters became Queensland’s first elected Green in 2010.

In his place until the next Brisbane City Council election – on the last Saturday in March 2024 – will be arts worker and former DJ Trina Massey, who stood for the Greens in the Central Ward during the 2020 elections.

Under council bylaws, a party can appoint a replacement councillor without a byelection if the replacement is announced within a year of the next election.

Known locally as Jono Sri, he lives on a houseboat, is a Beat poet, eschews suits, plays in two bands – Rivermouth and The Mouldy Lovers – studied law, rides a bicycle and, with his selection of rainbow scarves, never fit the councillor image.

Never one to shy away from organising a protest, Sriranganathan also defended his right to protest on Brisbane streets in court.

He won 45.6 per cent of the primary vote in 2020 – up 12 per cent – over the LNP’s 29.4 per cent and Labor’s 25 per cent.

“I was deciding whether I wanted to run for the Gabba Ward again, and if I run, I am basically committing myself to another four years,” Sriranganathan said on Saturday.

He listed the “usual shopping list” of reasons he had decided to move on: supporting older parents, music, writing, and “supporting all our other candidates”.

He said police harassment had also taken its toll.

“But I think if I am really honest, the most fundamental reason is that I do not think elected representatives should get too comfortable holding a safe seat for years and years and years.

“I think when elected representatives accrue too much power, they can start to lose touch with their electorate.

“I don’t think that has happened to me yet, but I don’t want to stick around for 20 years and become one of those privileged, insular people who think they know what their electorate wants.”

Sriranganathan, who was previously known as Sri until he adopted his father’s full name in August 2022, does not see himself running for a state seat in which he does not live.

“The Greens could definitely win Bulimba, and I live right on the border with Bulimba, but I am not personally thinking about running at the moment.

Jonathan Sriranganathan gained national attention when he stood beside resigning senator Larissa Waters in 2017, earning the moniker “Rainbow Scarf Man”.Credit: Dan Peled/AAP

“I am really thinking about taking a few months off and working out what I really want to do next.

“I joined the party and started running with that explicit role of getting more Greens elected and turning the Greens into a serious political force in Queensland.”