‘Ripe for a teal candidate': Inside Queensland's bluest Greens seat
But while the party's weakest seat, Ryan, might be leafy, locals aren't so sure it's still Green.
Established as an electorate in 1949, Ryan was a blue seat – that is, held by the conservative Liberal Party or its Queensland successor, the LNP – for all but 11 months in 2001 until the Greens' Elizabeth Watson-Brown won in 2022.
The electorate covers two dozen suburbs, from urban riverside areas near the University of Queensland campus to more affluent suburbs where at least 80 per cent of residents are homeowners.
University of Queensland political economist Professor Shahar Hameiri not only works in Ryan, he also lives there, in the semi-rural suburb of Brookfield on Brisbane's western fringe.
Corflutes supporting the Greens pepper the electorate's roadsides, but Hameiri said that didn't reflect the reality for Brookfield voters, who favoured the LNP by 61 per cent at the last election.
Across the electorate, Watson-Brown's first preference count lagged 8.3 per cent behind then-incumbent LNP member Julian Simmonds, and her final lead was a slim 2.6 per cent.
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News.com.au
17 hours ago
- News.com.au
‘English speakers excluded': Chinese agents hit back at divisive real estate video
Chinese real estate firms in Melbourne have hit back at a self-described 'Western civilisation enjoyer' after his video shared on social media suggested they 'exclude' English speakers. Drew Pavlou, best known for leading a year-long protest at the University of Queensland against Beijing's anti-democracy activities in Hong Kong, has almost 300,000 followers across various social media platforms. Earlier this week, he published a video declaring he had 'counted 12 Chinese real estate firms on two of the main shopping streets in Melbourne CBD'. Mr Pavlou, 26, wrote alongside the video: 'Most of them advertise only in Chinese to foreign buyers, English speakers are excluded ... nobody can explain how this benefits Australia during the worst housing crisis in our national history.' In the full video, published to YouTube, Mr Pavlou said he was 'fascinated' by 'graffiti everywhere, massive economic changes' and the fact that 'I counted within one 500m stretch 15 bubble tea stores and about 12 Chinese real estate firms'. '(They) only advertise in the Chinese language for Chinese people to buy property in Australia,' he said. 'It was just beautiful.' There was plenty of support for Mr Pavlou's video. 'Check out every capital city. Same playbook,' one person wrote. Speaking to Mr Pavlou said his video was 'not racially motivated' and was 'filmed by my Hong Konger friends (who) fully supported me in making it'. 'My family background is Greek Australian and if there were 12 Greek real estate agencies advertising to Greek overseas buyers in the heart of the Melbourne CBD, I would equally oppose it,' he said. 'I believe this is a legitimate public interest issue. Right now, young Australians are locked out of the housing market due to record-high prices and low supply, yet prime property stock is being marketed directly to offshore buyers who will never live here. 'That inevitably drives demand upward and puts extra pressure on ordinary families and first-home buyers.' He said an 'open conversation' should be had about 'how to prioritise the housing needs of Australians over overseas buyers'. Mr Pavlou said he was particularly concerned by a Nord International branch that 'did not feature even a single piece of English language advertising in their shop window'. reached out to Nord International, as well as the other agencies that appeared in Mr Pavlou's video. Nord International did not respond to a request for comment but other firms hit back. A number of the firms said they advertise in Chinese and English and have multilingual team members. Kristy Zhang is the director and co-founder of Austrump Hosting, a real estate business that she says 'serves a diverse client base that reflects Melbourne's multicultural community'. 'While many of our team members are multilingual and we occasionally use Chinese language materials to assist clients who prefer it, we also regularly produce and distribute all our marketing materials — including flyers and brochures — in English,' she said. 'We work with clients from all backgrounds and are committed to providing inclusive and professional service to everyone, regardless of their language or cultural background.' A spokesperson for Elite Real Estate, also featured in the video, hit back at Mr Pavlou. 'We are aware of the video you've referenced and appreciate the chance to clarify. Our agency operates in one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world, and we take pride in reflecting that diversity across our team and marketing efforts,' the spokesperson said. 'While some of our content includes Chinese language elements, all of our listings are advertised in English, and our window cards are displayed primarily in English to ensure they are accessible to the wider public. 'Our multilingual team — fluent in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, and more — allows us to assist a wide range of clients, including first-home buyers, seasoned investors, landlords, and renters, both locally and internationally. 'To suggest that we exclusively target one demographic is not only inaccurate but also overlooks the reality of our day-to-day operations. We work with clients from all backgrounds and are committed to delivering inclusive, professional, and ethical service to everyone.' There was some pushback to Mr Pavlou's video by members of the public, too. Some pointed out that the video was filmed adjacent to Chinatown, a vibrant, historic neighbourhood that celebrates Chinese restaurants, shops and culture. 'When you visit Chinatown and it's Chinese,' one person wrote. 'Bro, you're literally walking through Chinatown, of course there's going to be Chinese restaurants,' another wrote. 'It would be like counting every Italian restaurant in Lygon Street or Pho place in Springvale.' Pollster and director of the RedBridge Group, Kos Samaras, was among hundreds of people who commented on Mr Pavlou's video. 'Greeks used to run exclusively Greek focused businesses,' he said. 'Brunswick Street in Melbourne was once dotted with countless stores, businesses, that advertised only in Greek. It's what migrant diasporas have done for numerous decades, across the Western world, even in the US and UK.' Mr Pavlou, who in 2022 interrupted the Chinese Ambassador's speech in Sydney declaring China a 'dictatorship' that is keeping 'one million Muslims in concentration camps', was approached for comment about his concerns regarding 'foreign buyers'. Foreign buyers own about two per cent of Australia's housing stock and are currently banned from buying established homes in Australia. The Albanese Government announced earlier this year it would crack down on foreign land banking. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the ban would take place on foreign purchases of established dwellings from April 1 this year until April 2027. 'This is all about easing pressure on our housing market at the same time as we build more homes,' Mr Chalmers said. 'It's a minor change, but a meaningful one because we know that every effort helps in addressing the housing challenge we've inherited. 'The ban will mean Australians will be able to buy homes that would have otherwise been bought by foreign investors. 'Until now, foreign investors have generally been barred from buying existing property except in limited circumstances, such as when they come to live here for work or study.' But as Australian economist Leith van Onselen notes, 'it is likely that the homes being advertised by the Chinese agencies are newly built properties, since they are permitted for purchase by non-residents'. 'Australian property has long been a magnet for Chinese buyers, both as a store of wealth and for migration purposes,' he told 'Australia's large annual intake of Chinese students and migrants helps to create new demand for purchases.'
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Perth Now
Nats' claim after MP's shock exit
The NSW Nationals are staking their claim over the south coast seat of Kiama, as long-term MP Gareth Ward finally falls on his sword while awaiting sentencing for rape. Ward resigned in a letter to Speaker Greg Piper on Friday morning, less than two hours before a motion to expel him was expected to go before the Legislative Assembly. The motion came after a challenge by Ward's lawyers to the Court of Appeal on Thursday failed, with both Labor and the Coalition voicing support for Friday's motion. As the dust finally settled over what could have been the first lower house expulsion in more than 100 years, questions of the now requisite by-election quickly emerged. Ex-Kiama MP Gareth Ward was found guilty of three counts of indecent assault and one count of sexual intercourse without consent. NewsWire / John Appleyard Credit: News Corp Australia Nationals MLC Wes Fang was in Kiama as recently as last week, meeting with Kiama Business Network treasurer Greg Langford and spruiking the trip on social media. 'While Gareth Ward was distracted by his court proceedings and subsequent conviction and revocation on bail, I've made sure I've been in Kiama, providing a voice to the electorate and raising their issues in the NSW parliament,' Mr Fang told NewsWire hours after Ward's expulsion. 'It's the NSW Nationals who have been showing up and helping the people on the ground and if asked to do so, we'd love the opportunity to represent the electorate through a Nationals local member.' In social media posts, Mr Fang shared images of the bright Nationals-green trailer he took with him to Kiama and spoke of discussions about the local business environment and cost of living. Nationals MLC Wes Fang said he had been in Kiama 'providing a voice to the electorate'. NewsWire /Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia It comes amid reports a motion from independent MP Joe McGirr to repeal ex-Liberal deputy premier John Barilaro's controversial 'Brumby Bill' could drive a wedge between the Liberals and Nationals. High-level discussions between Coalition partners, the NSW Liberals and Nationals, are expected to take place regarding Kiama. Asked whether the Liberals intended to run a candidate for Kiama, Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said it would be a decision for the party's management committee. 'Obviously, I will make a request and recommendation to the management committee which, in the ordinary course, I would be confident would be followed,' he said. 'But, that's a matter for those discussions, and then it's a matter to discuss … with the Nationals what will happen under our Coalition agreement. 'Where there is a seat vacated, we have that discussion first before either or both of us declares we're going to run.' Asked if he believed it was important the Liberals run a candidate, Mr Speakman said 'discussions will be happening very quickly' within both parties. Ward, who in July was found guilty of three counts of indecent assault and one count of sexual intercourse without consent, was first elected as member for Kiama in 2011 and served in former premier Gladys Berejiklian's cabinet from 2019-2021. He was suspended from parliament in March 2022 after charges were laid before being re-elected a year later in a tight contest with Labor's Katelin McInerney. Ward won that contest by 0.08 per cent on the two-party preferred vote. Premier Chris Minns confirmed discussions were under way as to Labor's candidate for Kiama. NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia On Friday, Premier Chris Minns confirmed discussions were under way as to Labor's candidate for Kiama, with the by-election date expected to be set next week. Mr Minns would not confirm whether Ms McInerney would stand but admitted she was a likely frontrunner. Nonetheless, Mr Minns admitted the contest in Kiama would be tough, with Ward having been re-elected after charges were laid. 'They're independent minded down there, they'll make their own decisions,' he said. 'We would be going in with our eyes wide open, and this would be a very, very tough contest for Labor.'
The Australian
5 days ago
- The Australian
David Crisafulli defends CFMEU inquiry boss's LNP links amid bias claims
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has dodged questions about the appointment of a LNP donor and former Liberal Party member, Stuart Wood KC, to lead the Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU. Concerns about the impartiality of the Victorian barrister have been raised in the days since he was announced as the commissioner of the newly formed inquiry, which has been tasked with investigating the culture of violence and intimidation within the union's Queensland division, and uncovering any potential links to criminal underworld or activity. Mr Crisafulli said critics of the Mr Wood's appointment were Labor-aligned and motivated by desire to discredit the inquiry. 'He is incredibly well regarded,' Mr Crisafulli said. 'Is there anyone who has found that he is not one of the most pre-eminent KCs (Kings Counsels) involved in industrial relations? 'We chose someone because of his reputation in the IR space, and that reputation has been well and truly endorsed by anyone who has looked at it, who don't have links to the Labor Party. 'I'm sorry, I want to change the culture on building sites so that people can feel safe, productivity can return.' Mr Wood is a well-known conservative who was once a member of the Victorian Liberal Party. Records from the Electoral Commission of Queensland show Mr Wood donated $1500 to the LNP in 2023. Mr Crisafulli refused to say whether Mr Wood had a personal relationship with his deputy, Jarrod Bleijie. When Mr Bleijie announced last Friday that the barrister would lead the 12-month inquiry, he reiterated that Mr Wood would be bound by law to conduct the probe 'independently, impartially and fairly'. Queensland Attorney-General Deb Frecklington would not say whether she was aware of Mr Wood's previous political ties upon making the appointment, and fell short of saying whether a fulsome recruitment process had been undertaken or if he had been headhunted for the position. Ms Frecklington said there was 'nothing wrong' with his former membership status. 'People are members of all parties, from time to time,' she said. 'There is nothing wrong with Mr Wood being a former member of the Liberal Party of another state altogether.' Queensland Council of Unions general secretary Jacqueline King said Mr Wood's appoint seemed to lack due process. CFMEU inquiry boss an LNP donor Mackenzie Scott is a property and general news reporter based in Brisbane. Prior to joining The Australian in 2018, she was the editorial coordinator at NewsMediaWorks, covering media and publishing, and editor at travel and lifestyle website Xplore Sydney. Politics Business leader Warwick Smith has warned Anthony Albanese to hasten slowly with any reforms agreed upon at the upcoming economic roundtable, amid warring unions and corporate groups. Politics The owners of some of Australia's biggest transport companies say Labor should drop its unrealised capital gains tax plan, with some considering liquidating part of their self-managed super funds.
