Background
The seat of Stafford was held by my chemistry teacher’s son, Terry Gygar. He was what you might have called a “Menzies Catholic” — that is, someone aligned with the Liberal Party because Menzies provided subsidies to help Catholics educate their children.
My chemistry teacher, Joe Gygar, taught at St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace, which at the time was a catholic working-class school encouraging students towards careers in law, medicine, engineering and similar professions.
In any case, Terry Gygar held the seat almost uninterrupted from 1974 until 1996, when it was dissolved for a time.
Terry Gygar was one of the few Liberal survivors — by that, I mean survivors of the National Party in Queensland and its attempts to secure complete control of the Queensland Parliament.
Only a small number of Liberals barely survived that period, including:
- Bill Knox,
- Terry White,
- Angus Innes,
- Peter Delamothe
- Gordon Chalk
- and a handful of others
These figures represented the remnants of the old Queensland Liberal tradition during a period when the Nationals increasingly dominated the Coalition and Queensland conservative politics more broadly.
There were also odd characters like former special branch officer Don ‘Shady’ Lane and Brian Austin. Like Terry Gygar, they both held inner northern city seats once the stronghold of the Liberal Party. They represented old money like the Cottee and Nicklin families who lived in mansions in inner Brisbane suburbs of Clayfield and Coorparoo. The Cotees were soft drink and jam manufacturers.
Don ‘Shady’ Lane and Brian Austin were persuaded by Joh Bjelke-Petersen to defect to the National Party – through the offer of ministerial positions.
Both men were later convicted on corruption charges arising from the Fitzgerald Inquiry and served prison sentences.
In Brian Austin’s case, his imprisonment was later effectively commuted to supervised residence on the top floor of the St Vincent de Paul Society building in South Brisbane.
According to local political folklore, he would sometimes be joined on Friday afternoons by the local police sergeant, and the two would share a Scotch whisky before the sergeant went on his way.
Brian Austin received this treatment partly because of his longstanding connections within Catholic circles and his skill in financial administration. At the time, the St Vincent de Paul Society was attempting to modernise and rebrand itself, particularly through the expansion of its op shops and alternative retail operations, which later became highly successful. Austin was regarded as someone capable of advising on financial and organisational matters during that transition.
Stafford today. Moving forward to 2026, after Labor was returned to its dominant position in Queensland politics, the party held Stafford despite a swing against it
As predicted, the Labor Party won the seat of Stafford with Greens preferences. The Liberal National Party increased its vote, and there was an array of independents with One Nation notably absent.
The Queensland government bans political slogans
It was interesting that the Premier, David Crisafulli, when challenged by one of the independents, Liam Parry (Queensland Socialists), chose not to defend his most controversial legislation, which is currently under High Court challenge by Justice for Palestine Magan-djin.
A sizeable number of voters have rejected Chrisafulli’s ban on six words: ‘From the ███████████████████ [Redacted under Queensland Government directive (2026).
When challenged, Crisafulli walked away, his minders fending off Liam Parry and his criticism of government doing the bidding of Israel’s lobby in response to the Bondi massacre in Sydney.
Chrisafulli tries to conflate Gaza protests to the Bondi tragedy
David Chrisafulli under direction decided to conflate the Bondi massacre with the growing campaign against Israel’s genocide in Gaza and the Queensland government’s support for it.
The Labor Party opposed the new laws after a lot of internal lobbying by Labor Friends of Palestine and some crucial resignations from the party. Thus putting pressure on the leadership to back down from its blanket support for Israel by approving weapons factories and fossil fuel companies in Queensland that supply Israel’s genocide.
In the end Labor opposed the new laws after a lot of internal lobbying by Labor Friends of Palestine and some crucial resignations from the party.
Socialist Alternative divides the left and pro-Palestine vote
Sadly, the pro-Palestinian vote was split between Jess Lane for the Greens and Liam Parry for the Queensland Socialists. For reasons yet to be explained, the Queensland Socialists’ Liam Parry decided to attack the Greens’ decision not to distribute preferences towards himself.
This split the pro-Palestinian vote, so what could have been a 20% vote in support of Palestine and opposing the genocide became a split vote of 15% for Jess Lane and nearly 4% for Liam Parry.
The Stafford by-election demonstrated that there is a significant constituency of voters motivated by Palestine solidarity, civil liberties, and opposition to the Queensland government’s controversial anti-protest legislation.
As a result, what might otherwise have emerged as a more unified electoral expression of pro-Palestinian and free speech sentiment instead appeared in fragmented form. Even so, the combined result suggests that Palestine solidarity and civil liberties issues are now a political factor within inner Brisbane seats such as Stafford.
Gentrification pushes poor residents out of Stafford hitting aboriginal people hardest
I would like to add a comment about the housing crisis in Stafford. What a generation ago was cheap public housing has now been gentrified, and the poor have been pushed out.
There is also a serious drug problem in Stafford which is being overlooked by the Queensland Police Force. Many people in the community believe that authorities have failed to seriously confront the issue.
These two issues have hit Aboriginal people the hardest, causing serious social problems and creating an incentive for DOCS to remove children from their parents.
None of the political parties have dared to seriously address these issues, despite the profound impact they have on people’s everyday lives.
Ian Curr, 19 May 2026
Justice for Palestine Magan-djin organised about 150 people to protest outside Central station in support of the people on the Sumud Flotilla – including local Aboriginal activist Sam Woripa Watson – kidnapped and detained in international waters by Israeli military pirates.
His mother told the crowd that Sam has been put in contact with lawyers.
We are all concerned about the brutal treatment of the Sumud flotilla activists and Palestinian prisoners generally. We need to keep the pressure up on the government to sue for their release. The standard procedure in these matters is under question. Direct action is needed.
Accordingly we marched on DFAT at 345 Queen Street Brisbane. Strong speeches were made by Palestinian activists.
I am not sure contacting our MPs will pressure the government to stand up to Israel’s pro-genocide suppression of the Flotilla.
With few exceptions, MPs are apologists for the genocide. Some choose silence. Ask you yourself what have the government done to to prevent the genocide? The two mainstream political parties have not even dismissed the Israeli ambassador and they welcomed war criminal Herzog to speak in Australia.
If you wish to contact your MP here is a link to a standard letter which you can amend.
https://actionnetwork.org/letters/interception-contact-mp
Photos from snap rally
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17fheoCmNA/
Dear friends,
Please join us for our monthly meeting and other activities, actions and events, and feel free to send us your items of interest and ideas for meetings. (vintageredsqld@gmail.com).
Vintage Reds Meetings are held monthly (first Thursday of the month) onsite at the Queensland Council of Unions (QCU), Level 2 Auditorium – 16 Peel Street, South Brisbane.
News and events will be posted to you at least twice a month.
In this newsletter we have ? items.
1 Vintage Reds Meeting – Thursday 4th June @ 10am – 12pm, QCU Level 2, Onsite
2 Follow up from last meeting – Save Victoria Park/Barrabin
3 Film showing 9 June – Earth’s greatest Enemy
4 Memorial for our comrade and friend Marianne Ehrhardt
5 National Retired Unionist meeting on zoom
6 Bloomsday in Brisbane 2026
1. Vintage Reds Meeting – 4th June 2026 @ 10-12pm, QCU, South Brisbane
Vintage Reds is pleased to announce and extend an invitation to all to attend our June 4th meeting. Our friend Lara Watson will join us for a yarn about the ACTUs latest and ongoing work in Anti Racism. Yep racism is still here. So let’s not let it thrive in our sphere.
10am, Thursday June 4th, 2nd Floor TLC Building,16 Peel Street, Sth Brisbane
(for further reading please see
https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/indigenous-people-are-being-forced-to-leave-the-workforce/kgtk99zkr)
3 Follow up from our previous May meeting
–if you missed it – Save Victoria Park/ Barrambin
For those who missed our May meeting with guests Jane Grigg and Adrian Waters, here is a great list of things you can do.
Actions you can take:
Links should be live at these pages or see below
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BBHLb6FZT/
Save Vic Park Barrambin Action Hub| Brisbane QLD
Save Victoria Park Friday Picnic
4-6pm at Victoria Park/Barrambin
Join us every Friday afternoon in May for a relaxed BYO community get-together in Victoria Park Barrambin. GIICA is planning to fence off large parts of the park from 1 June, effectively cutting the community off from the main areas of the park. But this is not a done deal.
The fight to protect Victoria Park Barrambin is far from over. Legal action is ongoing and we are absolutely not giving up.
PETITIONS
https://www.savevictoriapark.com/submission Before29 May support the First Nations legal challenges with just your name, addressand ticks
https://www.qldresponsiblegov.orgAskPremier Crisofulli and your MP for an Independent Budget Review before workstarts in the Victoria Park precinct. Can we afford new stadiums in a cost-of-livingcrisis? What will this cost Queenslanders in cancelled health, housing,education, road and public transport infrastructure and services?
https://www.savevictoriapark.com/petition Tell Queensland Government and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) youdon’t want the stadium in Victoria Park Barrambin. The IOC hasn’t approved ityet!
4 NOT TO BE MISSED- JUNE 9TH NEW FARM CINEMA- A FILM SHOWING THE DEVASTATING IMPACTS OF WAR AND MILITARISM ON OUR ENVIRONMENT
We see every day the latest horrors of full-scale war. Whether in Gaza, Lebanon or Iran, thousands of people are being murdered by the military machines of the US and Israel. At the same time almost unbelievable environmental destruction is caused.
New Farm Cinema June 9th 630pmfilm showing followed by panel of speakers to discuss the film’s issues, War and militarism, Health, Environment and Palestine
BOOK NOW TO RESERVE YOUR TICKETS
https://events.humanitix.com/earths-greatest-enemy-film-and-panel-discussion-brisbane
5 Memorial for Marianne Ehrhardt
Here are details of the memorial event (note: 24th May) and the funeral (23rd May) of our long-standing member and comrade Marianne Ehrhardt. Her friend Martin Arnold has supplied an obituary.
A Memorial Celebration of Marianne’s Life is planned for the
State Library of Queensland (Auditorium Two, Level Two), Cultural Precinct, Stanley Place, South Brisbane, on Sunday, 24 May 2026 at 3.00-5.30pm
Enquiries: Brisbane Combined Unions Choir Brisbanecuc@gmail.com
For the arranging of catering, rsvp 22 May → The Brisbane Combined Unions Choir Brisbanecuc@gmail.com
6 National Retired Unionists Network (RUN)
Join the network see and hear from great monthly guests all from the comfort of your home. Last Thursday ofevery month at 2pm. This is an easy way to practice solidarity and hear from retired unionists around the country.
Next Meeting is Thursday May 28that 2pm – Guest to be announced later
Join through Zoom
To join, all you need to do is click the button at the time of the meeting.
You can also join using the Zoom Meeting ID:
841 8064 6012
Or by dialling in directly from your location:
03 7018 2005
07 3185 3730
08 6119 3900
08 7150 1149
02 8015 6011
The Retired Unionists Network is a network of retired unionists groups from around the country.
All retired union members are welcome to join and attend meetings.
Please feel free to pass this invitation onto other retired members in your union or your local community.
Retired members can join RUN here.
Join Through zoom
7 Bloomsday in Brisbane 2026
Join us for Bloomsday 2026 on Tuesday, 16th June for readings and music on Queen Street Mall at 12pm with BYO drinks after at Gilhooley’s.
The most significant day on the Irish literary calendar.
For enquiries call 0419 673 126 or email mary@queenslandirish.com.au
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Acknowledgement
Vintage Reds acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and work – in Meanjin (Brisbane) the Turrbal and Jagera peoples. We recognise that these lands have never been ceded and pay our respects to Elders past and present.
Contact: Barb Williams, E: vintageredsqld@gmail.com M: 0409 056 416
Website: https://vintageredsqld.org.au
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Vintage Reds · 27 Cabanda Street · Wynnum West, QLD 4178 · Australia
Solidarity with the Sumud flotilla
20 May 2026
Ferra weapons factory in Tingalpa Brisbane has been blockaded since 7.30 this morning by activists from Northen Rivers for Palestine, in solidarity with Australian humanitarians abducted by Israel from the Flotilla to Gaza ⛵️
The factory has been locked shut with Subhi chained to the main gate, and a support crowd and paper boats surrounding 🇵🇸✊🏼🫶🏼
Many of our comrades are being held on a Israeli naval boat and they have been promised access to lawyers … that’s all we’ve heard so far.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1CkpNq6RQH/
Roma Street Magistrates Court 19 May 2026
Friday, 29 May 2026
The Goori embassy at Barambin Victoria Park is currently under attack by Queensland police … they’re clearing out the camp that has been resisting the destruction of the land in preparation for the 2032 Olympic Games.
“For anyone unfamiliar, the Goori Camp Embassy have been camping out around a sacred fire to resist the Olympic committee tearing down Barrambin, a sacred site for First Nations people all across greater Brisbane
There is a red alert warning that police are currently clearing out the campers despite the sacred fire which is protected by law
If anyone is able to head over now to witness if there’s no way to assist please do so!”
“You talk of conservation
Keep the forest pristine green
Yet in 200 years your materialism
Has stripped the forests clean
A racist’s a contradiction
That’s understood by none
Mostly their left hand hold a bible
Their right hand holds a gun”
— Kev Carmody ‘Thou shalt not steal’.
“Queensland is open for business and ready to lead the nation when it comes to defence and advanced manufacturing, and it’s obvious that this message is being heard loud and clear,” Minister Bates said on behalf on the Queensland government.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYeeR5fBiCM/?igsh=dXB6aXQ5MDBlZW9w
Reference
https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/105068
🚨 Israel has kidnapped another 11 Australians including Justice for Palestine Magandjin activist SAM WATSON.
They were delivering aid to Gaza in the @globalsumudflotilla. Now they’re detained international waters with no contact.
https://workersbushtelegraph.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/img_20260519_085008_4705983950804860609615.jpg
This is illegal under international law, and our government remains silent.
We call a SNAP ACTION, see details below.
End the siege of Gaza
Sanction Apartheid Israel
Stop the Genocide
I would like to add a comment about the housing crisis in Stafford. What a generation ago was cheap public housing has now been gentrified, and the poor have been pushed out.
There is also a serious drug problem in Stafford which is being overlooked by the Queensland Police Force. They seem to be in league with some of the drug dealers — no surprises there.
These two issues have hit Aboriginal people the hardest, causing serious social problems and creating an incentive for DOCS to remove children from their parents.
None of the political parties have dared to seriously address these issues, despite the profound impact they have on people’s everyday lives.
Ian Curr, 19 May 2026