ABC crew denied access to Gold Coast council media conference

Questions the ABC was going to ask:

• Why didn't you sit down for an interview with Four Corners?
• Should councillors vote on development applications by their political donors?
• Should developers be banned from making political donations?
• Your feasibility study into an offshore cruise ship terminal at The Spit shows ships could be pushed to shore by strong winds, why did you keep that information from the public?
• Will that report be released in full?
• Did you help Forise Holdings sell apartments to Chinese investors during a private trip to Beijing?
• Did you know you were being referred to as the mayor (during the private trip to Beijing)?
• Did Forise Holdings pay any of your travel expenses?

Journalists and a cameraman from the ABC have been denied access to a press conference held by Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, a day after Four Corners reported on the extent of political donations to the city's councillors.
Cr Tate was due to hold a press conference in the foyer of the council chambers in Bundall this morning.
When journalists from various media organisations arrived, the venue was shifted, ABC Gold Coast reporter Tom Forbes said.

"One of his press representatives came down and said everybody — excluding the ABC — was allowed upstairs into the Mayor's committee room for a press conference," Forbes said on ABC Radio Brisbane.
Cr Tate said he did not allow the ABC in, because he was considering legal action.
It is the first speaking opportunity for Cr Tate since Monday night's Four Corners story.


http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-...st-council-press-conference-donations/8959508