‘I’m flattered he’s still thinking of me’: Dumped Labor MP teases Bleijie mayoral bromance

A bayside south-east Queensland council whose mayor dramatically resigned will request a postal ballot to pick her replacement, eliminating polling booths that were the sites of heated scenes in the last election.

Jos Mitchell stepped down from her post at Redland City Council on Wednesday, citing a toxic culture that she said had been detrimental to her health.

The move triggered a byelection, which must by law be conducted within two months, landing a potential poll within days of Christmas.

Local government minister Ann Leahy told parliament on Wednesday the election would not be held during the holiday period, but did not clarify whether that would mean a short run-up to the vote.

The remaining councillors convened for a special meeting on Thursday, where they unanimously agreed to ask the electoral commission to run a vote by mail.

“A postal ballot provides greater flexibility and accessibility for electors over the holiday period, particularly residents of island communities,” councillor Peter Mitchell said, reading directly from an officer’s recommendation.

He said the method would be cheaper than a traditional vote.

If they approve the application, the commission will then recommend the postal ballot to Leahy, who will make the ultimate decision.

The elimination of polling places may reduce the types of incidents that led to the ECQ warning 2024 candidates about their behaviour on the campaign trail.

Meanwhile, Facebook, the traditional home of Redlands politics, is already heating up about who might run for Mitchell’s vacant seat.

Two potential candidates are Don Brown, the former Labor MP for the state seat of Capalaba, and Andrew Laming, the former federal representative (as an LNP member) and 2024 mayoral candidate (as an independent).

While Laming has said he has no interest in running, he has spoken out against Brown online this week.

“Watch out for Dopey Don to pursue a pay rise and run for mayor. Imagine him dealing with the premier,” he commented on one Facebook post.

Brown is yet to rule out running for mayor, and posted a 200-word response on his own page.

“These are the kinds of online personal attacks that discourage good people from putting their hand up for public office in Redlands,” it began.

Brown’s page has had a cover photo with the words “STOP THE WASTE, RESPECT OUR RATES” since September, leading many to speculate he will enter the race.

Brown’s potential candidacy was mentioned in state parliament on Thursday, with deputy premier Jarrod Bleijie calling him an unsuitable candidate due to comments he made about his 2024 rival, Russell Field.

Field’s son and his daughter-in-law, who was pregnant, died in an accident involving a stolen car driven by a teenager in 2020. The driver was found guilty of manslaughter.

“The LNP just roll him out for his tragic story when they see fit,” Brown said online in April, in remarks cited by Bleijie in parliament on Thursday.

Bleijie continued: “The question to the Labor Party is this, if Don Brown announces his candidacy for mayor of Redlands, are they going to back him?”

“Only a few months ago, you had the former member for Capalaba attacking the current member for Capalaba, who was elected to this house because his son was tragically murdered, his daughter-in-law was murdered, and his unborn grandson Miles was murdered.

“Do I think … that Don Brown is a fit and proper person to serve in leadership roles in any community across Queensland? No way.”

When contacted by this masthead about the comments, Brown said he would work with the government if he ever became mayor.

“I’m flattered that Jarrod is still thinking of me,” he said.

“If I run for mayor, I hope we can build the same kind of bromance he shares with neighbouring Logan Labor Mayor Jon Raven and work together to deliver for Redlands.”

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