A Queensland mayor has been ruled out of running for the Liberal National Party at the next state election after she was charged with drink-driving.
Redland Mayor Karen Williams is on unpaid leave as she prepares to face drink-driving charges in court after last month crashing a council car through a fence and into a tree east of Brisbane.
Ms Williams was allegedly more than three-and-a-half times over the limit at the time, police say.
Critics have called for the LNP mayor to resign and Labor MP Don Brown claims she's considering a tilt at state politics.
Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Blejie has ruled out Ms Williams making a run, saying his party is looking for "great quality candidates" for the 2024 election.
"It was a terrible situation which occurred, and I note the mayor has now taken leave of absence while the matters before the court, so I'll be careful what I say," he said on Tuesday.
"But we are seeking a great quality candidates, and I don't even think she would express a view to run for us at the next election, because when you're drink-driving under the influence over three times it should have serious consequences."
The 55-year-old mayor is an anti-drink-driving campaigner and hosted an online meeting with three local families who had lost loved ones in accidents, just hours before her crash.
A parliamentary petition calling for local government minister Steven Miles to sack Ms Williams had garnered more than 6260 signatures on Tuesday afternoon.
Mr Miles on Monday ruled out seeking advice about the Redland mayor until her legal proceedings are finalised.
She's due to face the Cleveland Magistrates Court on August 1.
Australian Associated Press
