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Tom Tate - Gold Coast City
2024 Queensland Local Government Election - Mayor Candidate - March, 16, 2024
Electorate of Gold Coast City - Independent LNP - Australia
Who is Tom Tate?
Tom Tate has served as the Mayor of the Gold Coast since 2012, having been re-elected in 2016 and 2020.
His leadership focuses on three main objectives:
keeping rates low, delivering value-for-money services, and reducing council debt. His tenure has been marked by efforts to address cost-of-living pressures, initiating reforms in council administration to achieve savings, and diversifying the Gold Coast's economic base beyond tourism and construction.
Significant initiatives under his leadership include the Youth Employment Program, the GC Careers Festival, the Gold Coast Innovation Hub to support start-ups, an Inclusive and Accessibility strategy, and the Gold Coast Smart City Strategy to leverage IT and AI advancements. Environmental protection is a priority, with programs like the Free Trees initiative, land purchases for wildlife reserves, and the creation of the large community park GreenHeart.
Mayor Tate has also championed renewable energy through the city's Environmental Sustainability Strategy, supported the local arts and cultural sectors with projects like the HOTA Arts Precinct, and focused on improving public transport infrastructure including the Gold Coast Light Rail expansion. The successful hosting of the 2018 Commonwealth Games under his leadership brought global attention and economic benefits to the city.
Mayor Tate is committed to ensuring community well-being, leading taskforces to assist the homeless and address domestic violence issues. He continues to work closely with the business community and residents to foster growth and opportunities for the city.
Married with four adult children, all residing on the coast, his civic engagement and dedication aim to enhance the living standards and prospects for the Gold Coast's nearly 700,000 residents.
What are Tom Tate's Political Values?
The Liberal National Party (LNP) of Queensland is a center-right political party formed from the amalgamation of the state divisions of the Liberal Party and the National Party on July 26, 2008. This merger was aimed at creating a unified conservative force in Queensland politics, striving to offer a credible alternative to the existing government and to restore trust in state and national governance.
Guiding Principles:
The Liberal National Party (LNP) of Queensland champions core principles such as the freedom of conscience, religion, expression, and association, viewing these as the bedrock of a just society. The LNP values the family unit as a societal cornerstone, advocates for fiscal responsibility to protect future generations, supports a smaller government to boost innovation, and commits to environmental protection and sustainability.
Policy Priorities:
The LNP's policies focus on strengthening Queensland's agricultural and tech sectors, especially in regional areas, and ensuring energy transitions are affordable. The party prioritizes supporting community organizations and enhancing public safety, particularly through youth justice reform.
Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of improving educational infrastructure and outcomes.
Support for Regional Queensland:
Recognizing the economic and social significance of regional areas, the LNP pledges to enhance services and job opportunities outside of metropolitan centers. The party emphasizes the development of infrastructure, health services, and transport links to bolster the prosperity of regional communities.
Housing and Infrastructure:
The LNP aims to improve housing affordability and supply, manage population growth effectively, and ensure the timely delivery of necessary infrastructure. This includes specific measures to increase land availability and streamline government processes to facilitate development.
Promoting Integrity and Efficiency:
The LNP commits to restoring integrity in governance and enhancing the efficiency of the public service. This involves strengthening the roles of the Integrity Commissioner and the Auditor-General, and ensuring a culture of transparent and accountable governance.
Economic Management:
Fiscal discipline and economic management are key areas of focus for the LNP, with policies aimed at reducing government waste, attracting investment, and providing relief from the cost of living pressures faced by Queenslanders. The Liberal National Party of Queensland positions itself as a party dedicated to effective governance, regional development, and economic stability.
By integrating the strengths of its precursor parties, the LNP seeks to address the diverse needs of Queenslanders and drive forward a prosperous future for the state under conservative leadership.
