NEWS
Campbell Newman’s departure from City Hall makes next year’s municipal poll a whole new ball game. So is Central Ward councillor David Hinchliffe – widely regarded as the best performer in the chamber – regretting his recent decision to quit politics. The Independent asked him about that and other issues surrounding his decision.
Are you perhaps now regretting that you didn’t throw your hat into the ring and have one tilt at the Lord Mayorality, if for no other reason than to argue you'd never die guessing about what might have been?
In the words of Edith Piaf, “Je ne regret rien”
What decisions during Newman’s mayorality would you see as campaign strengths for the ALP?
I think his tunnel-myopia has absorbed precious billions of dollars that could have been spent on giving us a world class public transport system.
If you were charged with the marketing of the ALP's municipal campaign next year, what would be your slogan?
People before Politics.
After almost a quarter-century in local politics, give a one-word answer to this: what is the greatest attribute a local pollie needs to be good in their job?
Empathypatiencehumourtactresilienceforesighthindsightvisioncommonsensethickskinhardworkandbrevity!
Very droll. What do you regard as your greatest achievement in your civic duties over that time?
I think the Powerhouse, Brisbane Housing Company, Museum of Brisbane, Vegetation Protection, Outdoor Dining, Off Leash Areas and Painted Traffic Boxes are all projects I’ve helped achieve, but the greatest achievement is probably just helping people with their everyday problems – that’s what a local Councillor should do after all.
And your biggest disappointment?
The pettiness of council politics today. In saying that, I do not absolve myself from some of the blame. I just wish we could find a better way to make it work. The last election was a close-run thing for you?
What would you say to people who interpret your retirement as a tacit admission that the ward is becoming more conservative at each election and a win by you would have been very unlikely?
All inner-city seats are increasingly volatile with more “undecided” voters. Whoever represents the inner city has to work hard to win people’s support – and that’s the way it should be.
It's been suggested you’ll be a full-time artist after finishing up as a city councillor. If you had to spend the rest of your creative days in just one spot on earth, where would you place your easel? (And don’t say Brisbane because there’s no votes in it for you any more! Oh, okay you can say Brisbane if you want to.)
As much as I love Brooklyn, Barcelona and Buenos Aires, Brisbane is still the place I want to come home to.
Reporter gags briefly and terminates interview.
