Wayne 'Rabbit' Bartholomew named Labor candidate for Burleigh Heads
Queensland's Premier has announced former world surfing champion Wayne "Rabbit" Bartholomew as Labor's new candidate for Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast.
Rabbit will go up against the LNP's current sitting member, Michael Hart.
Annastacia Palaszczuk announced Rabbit's selection to a cheering crowd at Burleigh Heads ahead of Queensland's upcoming October state election.
"The seat of Burleigh needs better representation," Ms Palaszczuk said.
"[Rabbit is] a legend on the Gold Coast, a surf legend. He has delivered a lot and can deliver even more if he's elected as the Labor member for Burleigh."
Rabbit said the position would be the next phase of his career in representing the Gold Coast.
"I've been an ambassador for the Gold Coast in some form through my surfing since I took off overseas as a 17-year-old, nearly 50 years ago," Rabbit said.
Rabbit has won numerous surfing competitions including the 1978 World Surfing Championships and was awarded an Order of Australia in 2009.
"I challenge anyone to love the Gold Coast more than I do... it's such a wonderful area to represent," he said.
"This is not an easy time for anyone in this country and it's not an easy time in the world, so I want to step up now.
"It's a calling, I feel it's time and I'm very proud to be part of this team," he said.
© Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved.
Comments
If elected I think he will really surprise people with his capacity. He has always been much more than just a surfer.
Best of luck Rabbit!!!
He'll have to burn all copies of the bio and purchase a new pair of white shoes.
Better to Represent Kirra, my thoughts anyway...
Epic. Go Rab's.
Agreed, very smart capable man.
All the best Bugs.
That's great for that particular region for sure. An absolute local (and national in the surfing world)legend who will have genuine reasons for wanting to do it.
You just hope that he doesn't just get 'used' by the scummy powers that be because of who he is and then hung out to dry when they've extracted everything they want.
Going the Peter Garrett route - well played. And now that there is pretty much no surf industry, what better scam in which to enter than politics.
"And when I wave this... erm, multicoloured jacket, the heat is on!"
Whenever I see Rabbit, I think of the Billabong Desert Challenge.
Good luck. But does that mean we're stuck with ELo and the Wozzle? Was somehow hoping he'd come back and rescue the tour.
CEO of ASP will have been good grounding for this new role.
Easy win.
Many years ago a pissed Rabs accidentally knocked a glass of ice out a mates hand at The Party in Surfers. I said "hey man, that was a full drink". Rabbit apologised and bought my mate a bourbon and me a beer. I regret to this day for being a smartarse to him because actually, he was one of my heroes when I was a grom.
From that point on I've only ever seen him as an intelligent, articulate man and a man of principle.
So, Rabs if you read this, i'm sorry about my dick move all those years ago and I wish you all the very best.
If we ever cross paths i'm going to introduce myself and buy you a drink.
I have a very similar story, Mick fanning in his very early years accidentally knocked my drink(a bourbon) out of my had at the Edge at Broadbeach sending it smashing on the ground and he apologised and bought me another.
What would you have done at Dandy Markets had you knocked the groceries out of that unsuspecting muslim woman's bag you wanted to deliberately bump into? Me thunks you're such a tight arse you would have made a dash for it.
Of course and then stomped on the groceries and pushed her over....no........only kidding I would help anybody up. Good luck Rabbit he comes across as sharp and articulate and has been through the wringer with ASP. I wonder how big that electorate is as that is a big difference between the white shoe real estate agents and the comrades. I would have thought the coast would be more labor and the hinterland libs although the retirees down here are firmly for the born to rule lib suits.
Great post zenagain.
Awesome, best of luck to him. Takes balls to put yourself and your values out there in this day and age. great to have representation from someone who seems to speak sense and keep it simple
I guess it could be worst he could be running for the Greens.
I hope his first TV interview is as epic as when Mal Meninga dipped his toe into politics!
Google it! Absolute gold!
Fair amount of work required to get up over the incumbent LNP.
As a part of the Burleigh electorate I’ll certainly be voting for him. Unfortunately it’s a very conservative area. Even all of the tradies that live here vote for the LNP. We’ll see.
House prices have gotten too high to vote Labor
Yes seems like a token move but good luck to him .....
You could Sir David Attenborough to run as a labor candidate on the Goldie and he would get still smoked by theLibs unfortunately...
Wonder if the Rabs against the light rail smashing through Burleigh..
That would surely be against Anna’s and Toms wishes....
a classic example of popularity over policy
"a classic example of popularity over policy"
So you have interviewed him about his position on key issues?.....or probably not!
tbb is a Burleigh lad of 50+ years & can assure Bugz AM... shows & gets respect.
Bugz went to Miami High + Hot Stuff at Nth Burleigh + Iconic Stubbies /ASP B'hds.
Bugz is the coolest lineup surfer & would be first to greet tbb or any at Snapper.
Bugz + Premier agreed the WSR was their meeting of minds...
https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/gold-coast-surfing-community-t...
Local Burleigh Labor Member : " I'm saddened you came here to announce the 'Labor' candidate for Burleigh & didn't invite local members to the announcement. What's more, we had no input into this decision. He's 'never ever' been a Labor member. I get to see it on the news!" (Not good enough)
1974/5 Burleigh Paper Boy binned the Bully & was happy to read about it at swellnet.
Qld Labor :
He's fighting for better public Transport, secure jobs + no inappropriate development.
+ Protect the Ocean!
WSR Legislation announcement at WSR was there for the taking...(So what gives?)
Is WSR now gonna be used for wedge politics...Pro Labor = Pro Ocean = Pro WSL
https://www.swellnet.com/news/surfpolitik/2020/03/04/queensland-gets-ser...
Bugz is comfortable around the premier over many meets & speaks freely here...
Bugz: https://www.facebook.com/annastaciamp/videos/3452615908134717/
tbb is seriously stoked that Bugz is running...but local smarts must ring true!
Labor WSR legislation is not a licence...
Bugz must rise above Labor to protect the Ocean not entrust ALP ownership of it.
Today : Noosa Hodads have a Wave Park on the North shore to vote on...(Gulp!)
2019 Rabbit designed new WSL CS series inaugural 2020 WSL Sydney Pro CS
ALP / WSL transfer Snapper CT + SQ BH HQ to Coolum Surf Ranch.
ALP/ WSL/GCCC are upgrading QS Burleigh Pro into Gold Coast CS Pro (re: Sydney)
Qld then gets Teir 1 + Teir 2 WSL Pro Tour Events ( Likely that both have a gate fee entry!)
May 2020 Bugz also plugged a Pac Rim Tour....( WSL default Dream Tour director?)
Aug 2020 WSL Hot Seat Pro could pimp a WSR Entry Statement .just sayin'.
1977 Shaun to Bugz - Stubbies is when Pro Surfing Started " Wow! This is it!"
Episode 5 [50:00] Epic Pro everything Episode! Check it!
Local MP is blocking BH Pavillion retro pre Council Open licence > Dr No WSR site.
Past site controlled WSR gate for $tubbies > WSL have Burleigh in the frame.
2018/19 Council refused Sand Pumping to Rock Pool trail - #1 SP Selfie Postcard backdrop.
Council instead permitted Pavilion to pile rocks blocking thru access into private WSR lair.
BH Timeshare Trolley Sales Office is now upzoning > Oz #1 Surf pimp's site.
Notice how site can't be cleaned...it's now a WSR Tip site...serviettes suffocate rock critters.
https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/6dfa80585b0b6fce769473ea765fc5ba?wid...
tbb & all are backing Bugz to protect WSR Ocean from ( ALP + WSL Takeover!)
After today! This seems more up in the air.
Bugz is the best deal by far, so why should local tbb feel that WSR is at risk?
ALP need to reassure ALL Surfers that WSR legislation rings true & not some rort.
This could backfire if surfers feel they are being set up...Bugz! A WSR update please!
tbb respects Rabbit AM & welcomes him back to Burleigh & also wishes him well.
Excellent 5 part series > Rabbit Tales by Tim Baker ( 7th April 2020 - 10 July 2020 )
https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-dispatch/2016/11/07/rabbit-bartho...
During the early 90's in the years of my uncle's addiction, he often had to go and see Rabbit. My uncle didnt surf.
I can see the Young Libs going into overdrive digging up every wild story of Rab's youth and being outraged.
https://m.
&t=298sYoung liberals such as these at 3.10?
Exactly..
Great! As long as he doesn't drop in.
Ha! its in his DNA. I got faded by him 3 times in a single surf once at Greenie. But! Years previous I dropped in on him, foolishly thinking he wasn't going to make the barrel. He did and we enjoyed maybe 3-4 seconds in the barrel together. Smiles and laughs all around afterwards. A good man and a generally happy guy. Not like someof the younger pro wannabes.
Yeah still smarting from a bad Kirra burn many moons ago. But hey he is a champ. Anyway used to see him early morning surfchecks when i was carmping in the Greenmount hill carpark for 3 months in the 90s... Seemed a nice bloke... Goodluck luck to him.
Was at the beach yesty when there was a commotion going on near the slsc. It was Anna and Miles (health minister) there with rabs to announce his running. The photo op happened and then the crowd dispersed a bit. Anna and Miles walked around for a while pressing the flesh (not literally - that wouldn’t be COVID safe) but also asking people questions and having a bit of a chat. Curiously, rabs smokebombed. Couldn’t see him anywhere. Did he hightail as soon as the cameras went away? Wouldn’t this be the chance to start engaging with joe public in his constituency?
Swanny was lurking in the background also. He’s still right in there
Only time I've ever been in the surf with him was a crisp, clean 5ft Bells Bowl autumn morning in the mid 90's. Was a few weeks after the Bells comp, not busy and he was just smiles all round, happy to chat to crew and let waves go. Still very on point when he caught one but.
Funny how you remember shit like that.
Bugs the battler.
"You can't stop progress?!"
Way back tbb was Junior champ at Burleigh Barracudas...
Still salute the crew & alongside respected Bne Labor Burley bodybasher of note.
Rod Welford was Branch/State/Nat Clubbie Medalist and also a GC Lifeguard.
SLSQ Director / RLSS Officer. Loves Surfing Burleigh & waves Hoy! Top Bloke!
Just rocks up...mixes & bodybashes with the crew...no clouds or flying carpets.
Stands out as the rare approachable straight Qld Pollie...sounds outrageous huh!
tbb agrees... just say hello to Rod & he'll always smile back....same as Rabbit!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Welford
Like many others here, I Have known Bugs for many many years, have only respect for his person and admiration for his many talents. I do fear that he is being used though. Its all happy days and promises in the engagement but the day will come when he will have to pay the piper (toe the party line) Peter Garrett discovered this in the cruelest of ways and I doubt he would relish reliving the experience if given the opportunity. So I fear for Rab in this partnership. Party politics can be an evil beast. ...........Bugs would romp it in as an independent. ............OR maybe he has an eye on a far bigger prize??
Very interesting figures about the green vote in that electorate. A third of them sent their preferences to the LNP ahead of Labor. Green voters in Queensland must be a strange lot but surely more green voters will prefer Bugs ahead of the LNP next time.
LNP + Locals prefer beach access to the Timeshare Trolley.
Goldie want #1 fast Trainlink to Airport. (ALP 2016 now 2038)
ALP Timeshare Trolley ramps Stamp duty + Council Rates + LGA Supa.
Greed is #1 reason Labor won't be re-elected in Central Sth Gold Coast.
South Goldie is slightly more Labor than LNP on every issue but one!
Sth Goldie is anti - Labor's White Shoe Line Timeshare Trolley.
Govt+Bully headlines,10 Murdoch Polls & Mail outs wont hit 3,000 support
Lemonade stall rallies 10,000 against the light rail by the end of the week
Greens rally against the Hoards & Monumental Beach Upzones.
ALP Bugz > NO Light Rail polls 60% (Landslide)
ALP Bugz > Yes Light Rail polls 30% (No chance)
Greens will vote for a lump of Coal over Bug'z Light Rail grab!
As crew said if Bugz whispers it...just pretend you never heard him.
( Ok! Stop reading now! tbb said stop! )
If you must know...the gory details as to why.
Nothing about The Premier / ALP / Bugz / LNP / Tate.
No! Nothing against Trams, happy to ride this one or any!
It's about carcassing Oz #1 Airlink & golf buggy timetabled beach lockout
Regurgitating Goldie Glitter strip into Dystopian Govt Vice Strip
ALP Timeshare Trolley Southport < > Broadbeach (Gutted town Sites)
For Sale 40 / Rundown 5 / Abandoned 20 / Wastelands 20.
Bars/xxx Clubs/Massage/tatts/smokes/Vape +
BYO/Pokies/BET/Pawn/Estate brokers. (All that before Covid!)
Buses once served busy Towns. Now Trams bypass Ghost Towns
Buses Hub secure Shops /WC -Tram dumps you on a traffic isle in the rain.
Soon longest slowest Oz Tram ride lacks basic dignified utility.
1800's Steam Train had Toilets & 20m faster than No WC ALP Tram
Trapping frail on isolated hot spot median Strip, no security or Phones.
Miami High to Tugun Tram > rids 24/7 servos > 1940's Air Raid lights out.
GC Hwy beachside with no phones/wc or o/n security - dark for 10kms
We are talking about a 24 hr Tourist City being haunted by a 20km/hr tram.
Tram is killing off o/n Bne-XPT [+] Direct links > Theme Park / GCA options.
Like living thru a Joh revival...1890 ALP or 1970 Country Party?
Traffic
East >South Vehicles detour north > 2 back > 2 Signals South (Lose 10mins)
Ambos get locked out to SLSC /Look'outs /Beach [P] or Blocked in.
Free Ride Surf Check Safaris are wiped-out by double-backs & now lights.
Timeshare Trolley privately enclaves the coastline as it moats out the Locals.
Buses are faster & (Free for seniors)
More driver welcome, assist, tour (i), capacity, services, stops, access.
#1 Train is 5x faster with 2 x capacity + WC + Security at Stations.
GCA Train can move 2x [+] patients in half the time of Tram.
Train /Bus combos serve 3x more beach stops quicker north of Tugun
Longer & slower the tramline runs... JP loses count > Option 9/10/11?
Computer says : Does Not Compute.. bigger I Phones for Tourists?
GC Tourist Day Spend = $40hr pass'.
H'vale-GCA Tram loses $7.71m / day spend to equal capacity faster Train
Half was former Bus money...once in our local's hands.
Note: Upzones are flawed as Tram has least capacity & access..(It's Corrupt!)
Rabbit will do well to steer clear of ALP elephant in the Poll Booth!
Ripe old age to start a new career. Hope he can cope with the endless meet and greets and toeing the party line.
As a member of labour, you don't really need any business or economic sense, and even if you do, it may be frowned upon by the powers above, as its pretty clear that labour are nothing more than a bunch of lobotomised brain dead robots.
Thanks to labour in QLD we have been in a crystal clear recession for the past 2 years.. if you are too stupid to believe me then go for a drive through any town or city and count the for lease signs on all the commercial shop fronts.
Guess it puts them head n shoulders above you then hey?
thanks to Liberal in qld we have massive development which does not adhere to their town plan that they signed off on..we have to take our council to court many times over many poor decision because their palms are getting greased, there is NO infrastructure to support this unwanted development. we have one lane highways, and massive delays on the roads..Liberal local qld councils do not represent community values unless your values are about money money and more money
Agree whole heartedly but that is a common thread around the country not just up in sunny QLD. Down here in Mexico we have the same empty shop fronts and commercial property all in the same boat. Begs to wonder how the so called economy was going so great pre Covid with so many empty spaces. I wish Bugs all the best but feel a ripe old scandal of sorts from the other side to diminish his character and make him look like mud. Which once again is the standard for pathetic political play our so called government continues to deliver and shy away from the real issues at hand. Will be interesting to watch from the sidelines but ultimately it will be the people and the Goldy that suffers from the inept corrupt pelicans at the top.
QLD needs to have labour removed before any real economic progress is going to start, unfortunately the other side is also not batting too well so it may be another round of popularity vote's in for labour and then some piss-weak stimulus that wouldn't even arouse a hair on a dead cat at the side of the road.
of course, all of this means nothing for the "true blue Aussie battler" because who cares about long term investment that actually works when you have $10 extra in your salary thanks to low and middle-income tax breaks, just think of all the extra data or xxxx you can stock up on.... I can hear the cheers from here.
People speak very highly of him and so long as he has the fire in his guts to do good for his electorate he'll be fine.
I won't vote for Rabbit, I won't be fooled by a surfing legend who has publicly stated he supports and will push for a unnecessary light rail down the coastal strip. Ruining coastal communities, bankrupting local businesses, reclaiming local houses, taking away beach carparks and replacing this all with unsightly overhead tram wires and a tram line that is 19th century technology. This is looking like a billion dollar project to replace a perfectly good bus service that is underused. Why not just introduce an electric bus service at a fraction of the cost. Sorry Rabbit you won't get my vote if you continue to support this project and there are thousands of locals that are fighting against it too.
I love the tram.
You would cos you don’t live here. You haven’t seen the destruction of amenity, security and economy that has happened for the residents who are adjacent to this snaking piece of shit that is steadily making its way south. I was tempted to point out, while they were standing right where a station would soon be built, that they’d better savour it while it lasts. Cos they’re gonna turn it into the same mess that is prevalent wherever else that stupid old train has been installed
I’ve lived a few hundred metres from the tram line since I got my apartment up here in 2014. That was the year the line opened. I’ve been surfing on the Gold Coast for 40 years so I’ve seen many changes to the place. I use it regularly and of the people that live in my area that I talk to, no one has a bad thing to say about it.
I think you should talk to more people. TBB above has mentioned plenty who would be worth asking. It’s a gross impost on everyone in order to travel at 3/4 the speed for 9/10 of the price.
my GC friends are in favor of the tram and also want more artificial reefs.
I lived south of Talle Creek & north of Currumbin Creek for past 15 years.
Not many people I speak to are supportive of the light rail.
Main concerns are it will be a nightmare during construction, reduce beachfront carparks & thus amenity & mited access vs bus stop every 200m.
I believe the main concern is that it will bring a whole heap of shitbags to the area & associated crime.
We had mega negative comment about skyrail in Melbourne, which I knew was going to be awesome...and it is. People hate change and can't see the regional benefits. I personally hate buses and love trams (I am from Melbourne) as they seem permanent and somehow part of the civic infrastructure which the Victorian era did so well and seems non existent today (except for roads and more roads). Melbourne benefits from a Victorian era public transport system which still works today. I recently went to a quaint little railway up around Gosford which serves Sydney and in no way was it urban or suburban blight. Try to look at the bigger picture and linkages to towns
rabs is a good man . Regardless of anything, it is awesome to see a true surfer stick his neck out to have a crack.
In daily talks with me, in the last three months,we spoke about a lot of things. .but Rab's passion, and his desire to be a participant rather than a spectator shows he truly desires to help..
Yes the money will come in handy, yes he will have to toe the line, but he can't help himself, he is a surfer and he will always be a surfer,
if you have an issue, connect with him, he is a good listener, put aside your preconceived notions about old mate, his heart runs on salt water..
this is not really about whether he wins or not, this is about out tribe decidind we can shape our collective future.
"if you have an issue, connect with him, he is a good listener, put aside your preconceived notions about old mate, his heart runs on salt water."
Nice.
sorry about my typo'es, my old mac is doing the best it can, just like all of us.
cross border basher can re-boot yer virus at the checkpoint.
1960's Bug'z bumbling bodybash'n tale for davetherave...
Top flight retro Basher'z Bashin' [6:35]
1st surfing session & Great Galoot splits the head of Apex Greenie Basher.
Galoot swam in & hit the beach running all the way back to Razorback.
Great Greenie Galloot : "Surfing's not for me...I retired!"
Wot! Oh Yeah! ...there's more...
This Great Greenie Galloot AM aced the Farnsy comeback special...
...went on to win several world surfing titles
+ bossed Surfing like no other since.
Tells a pretty mean tale 'n all.
16 Aug 2020 - MyGC (Video) GWC + WSR + Localism? In a good way!
http://www.mygc.com.au/aussie-surf-legend-named-labors-candidate-for-bur...
17 Aug 2020 GCB Bugz (Light Rail & Small Business)
Said he decided to contest the seat after meeting the Premier at GWC.
Talks continued thru the 1st half of the year...before selected in late July.
Something he had to keep secret and did not even share with his wife.
https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/b3fe2aa9f3d0c8c7ec30718d8d17b5e9?wid...
Supporting & stimulating small business affected by Covid-19.
Supporting the extension of The Light Rail. ( Tate's West detour wouldn't fly!)
https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/676d44640a64c9977c7ed3c45159ab86?wid...
(It's a Big issue and he's there to listen to the community.)
Striking a balance between Oz tourist Capital & local business!
Bugs said when he was a grom there was no local business / local jobs.
(tbb : Rabbit is speaking of 1970 manufacturing /tech/ Uni Education industry!)
Early 1970's Molendinar > Burleigh established dedicated Industrial / Tech Parks.
It was a beautiful time back then, the secret is out & a lot have moved here.
https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/57e1622b626f74ea7b3cb4a41261d8f5?wid...
It's the best place in Australia so we have to adapt as we go!
https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/b968654cde1bcd2f71f3e07ce75c45b8?wid...
thanks tbb.
perspectives are unique. my perspective is that bodybasherz are the real surfing, eg, dolphins, seals, penguins, even orca's, whilst board riding is a man made invention.
but the lowest common denominator is riding the waves, so all surfing is real!
as ben pointed out,rab has a lot of changing peoples voting choices if he is to win the seat of burleigh.
i hope they don't character assassinate him and i hope he is not being pawned by the labour power broking machine.
maybe the gold coast city council would have been a better choice but i wish him all the very best in this new chapter of his life.
i am especially pleased that once in office he will be declaring snapper point as a bodysurfer only area!!!
The title of MP could be the driving force. All the best Bugs, don't get chewed by the machine.
Fingers crossed. Good to see a real person standing in the area, as opposed to all the LNP Business interests who're more interested in backroom deals than people's needs.
All the best Wayne.
https://www.littlepeterrabbit.com/