Re-elected Brisbane Mayor Criticizes ‘Sluggish’ Vote Tally

The Liberal Nationals will maintain a majority within Australia’s largest local council as the re-elected Brisbane mayor criticizes the state’s electoral commission.

Adrian Schrinner declared victory in the Brisbane Lord Mayor race on Saturday night, securing 48.3 percent of the primary vote, with 76 percent counted as of 2 pm AEST on Sunday.

Labor’s candidate Tracey Price garnered 26.5 percent of the first ballots, while Greens hopeful Jonathan Sriranganathan secured just under 20 percent.

Mr. Schrinner said he was humbled by the result but criticized the performance of the Electoral Commission of Queensland.

“While we expect to retain a majority in council, unfortunately many wards remain either too close to call or not enough votes have been counted,” he said in a statement.

“Like me, I am sure many residents are disappointed at the slow count as well as the long queues and shortage of staff and ballot papers that occurred at many booths.

“The Electoral Commission of Queensland’s performance will need to be further considered once the counting is finished.”

With 64 percent of votes counted, the ABC is projecting that the LNP will claim at least 17 of the 26 wards in the Brisbane City Council, which covers 1.25 million people.

Four wards have been called for Labor, one for Greens, and one for independents. Three wards remain in doubt, with Labor ahead in two.

Labor is facing a council-wide swing against it of more than five percent, almost the exact same gain for the Greens.

Outspoken Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate also claimed victory on Saturday evening after seeking a record fourth term in the top job.

Facing eight challengers, Mr. Tate has collected 51.6 percent of the primary vote, as counting continued on Sunday afternoon.

Incumbent councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden was trailing as he recontests division seven while facing a murder charge.

The 31-year-old is accused of killing his stepfather, Robert Malcolm Lumsden, 58, at the family’s Arundel home in August.

With a little under 38 percent of the votes counted, Mr. Bayldon-Lumsden has recorded 20.54 percent of the first ballots.

It puts him third behind fellow candidates Joe Wilkinson (24.5 percent) and Jenna Schroeder (23.9 percent), who have criticized Mr. Bayldon-Lumsden for running again after the council area was left without representation for six months.

Mr. Bayldon-Lumsden, who has been forced to wear an electronic ankle bracelet, said the state government endorsed his candidacy despite a coming trial for the murder charge.

Premier Steven Miles told reporters last week he would be suspended again if re-elected.

Mayors and councillors were up for election across Queensland’s 77 local governments, but some voters only had one option on their ballot as some candidates ran unopposed.