NEWS
Labor’s pick to run City Hall has labelled Lord Mayor Graham Quirk’s use of "pseudo" city council branding in political advertising as a dishonest ploy to trick and con voters.
And Rod Harding (pictured) challenged Team Quirk and the LNP to stand on their own records and plans rather than "try and cheat to win votes".
"For a political party like the LNP to use the council colours and ‘pseudo brand’ is just not being honest with voters," Mr Harding said in response to questions put by The Independent. "The integrity of the Brisbane City Council’s corporate brand is being put into question by the LNP.
"It’s not appropriate for any candidate to be using the Brisbane City Council design to try and trick voters. This has been a long-standing ploy by the LNP in my opinion. To not only trick voters, but go down the road of politicising the organisation and bureaucracy. Candidates shouldn’t try and cheat to win votes, they should stand on their own record and plans for our city.
"It’s clear that Team Quirk and the LNP are attempting to con voters and trash the Brisbane City Council reputation along the way, but I really think voters are seeing through this ploy and would rather myself and other candidates focus on real issues such as addressing bad development being approved against the community’s wishes, investing in public transport to cut congestion, and providing better basic services across the city."
Mr Harding said Labor councillors have long been questioning the LNP’s tactics and had formally written to the CEO of Brisbane City Council raising their concerns.
"Sadly these concerns have not been adequately addresses by the council. I believe residents deserve to be treated with respect and given more credit than Team Quirk currently gives them.
"If elected as Lord Mayor and on behalf of every one of my Labor candidates running in the election, I commit to honouring council’s marketing, communications and advertising policy which clearly outlaws this sort of electioneering," Mr Harding said.
Below: Team Quirk footpath banners from the 2012 council elections, with the legitimate council branding "cleat" shown at right.
Editor's note: It is against council rules to use the official branding image for political purposes. Graham Quirk denies using the council cleat. Personally I think he should have gone to Specsavers.
