AS the election trail hots up, Redlands mayoral candidate David Curtin has come under fire for being involved in a protest in Brisbane in August last year.
Head of Keep Queensland Beautiful and Queensland Youth Environment Council, Mr Curtin appeared in Cleveland Magistrates Court on Tuesday March 3 on a charge of committing a public nuisance.
He pleaded guilty to the charge and was given a good behaviour bond.
According to Mr Curtin he attended a protest at the Garden's Point campus of Queensland University of Technology regarding climate change in August last year.
"It was a peaceful protest, under two minutes, on a pedestrian crossing. No blocking of any major road or emergency vehicles," he said.
Mr Curtin said he did not jump in front of a car or get arrested. He claimed it was a hit and run that he reported to the police.
Speaking after the court case this week, Mr Curtin said his lawyer was taking the matter to the Crime and Corruption Commission.
"The police prosecutors kept adjourning because they had nothing. I became frustrated with the drawn out process, so to allow me to move it to the CCC it needed to be dealt with instead of being adjourned again and again," he said.
"I'm proud to stand up for the planet, and future generations. I was doing my job and I will do the same for my community if elected mayor," Mr Curtin said.
Mr Curtin's campaign is based on integrity, transparency and community consultation and promotes a vision not division attitude.
Mr Curtin said he was not prepared to make details of his case public knowledge as he felt the police had not done their job fairly.
"I'm leaving it up to the CCC to investigate," he said.
Angela Kelly
Redland City Bulletin senior journalist covering politics, community issues and human interest stories. South African living the dream in Australia.
Redland City Bulletin senior journalist covering politics, community issues and human interest stories. South African living the dream in Australia.
