Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden charged with murdering his stepfather standing for re-election

A Gold Coast councilor accused of murder has defended his decision to stand for re-election after an MP described his candidacy as ‘completely irresponsible’.

Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden is accused of murdering his 58-year-old stepfather at the family’s home in Arundel on August 23, 2023.

After being charged, the councilor was released on bail before being suspended from the Gold Coast City Council six months ago.

But that has not stopped the 32-year-old from campaigning for re-election as an independent, rather than as an LNP, in the council’s Division 7 electorate ahead of Saturday’s local council elections.

Wearing an ankle monitor hidden under his pants, he was seen smiling, shaking hands and hugging voters outside an early polling station in Runaway Bay on Friday.

Mr Bayldon-Lumsden has defended his decision to stand for re-election after an MP described his candidacy as ‘completely irresponsible’.

Bayldon-Lumsden said his re-election bid was supported by the state government and the local community.

“I know the community has its say, that’s the point of an election and they will make the right decision whatever the outcome,” he told AAP.

‘That’s the point of democracy.

“It is now up to the voters who they want as their representative.”

State MP Sam O’Connor said if the sitting councilor really cared about his community, he would not have raised his hand for re-election.

“It’s completely irresponsible,” the LNP MP for the nearby seat of Bonney told AAP.

“I don’t want this to be what our area is known for. It’s not something anyone who cares about people would do.

“I have seen firsthand the impact of (the suspension) as no one on council has advocated and we have missed the last six months.”

But Bayldon-Lumsden said the current Queensland premier had told him he could stand for re-election.

His local community has been without representation since he was suspended with pay in September 2023 by then Local Government Minister Steven Miles, who is now Prime Minister.

Mr Miles said Bayldon-Lumsden would likely be suspended again if re-elected.

“The (local government) minister will have to consider all relevant factors to determine whether he should be suspended again,” he told reporters on Friday.

“But I believe, having been the minister who last made this decision, that in the circumstances he should be suspended.”

Mr Bayldon-Lumsden did not comment on the possibility of further suspension if re-elected.

“Democracy must be the priority, so when people have their say, it must be respected,” he said.

His local community has been without representation since he was suspended with pay in September 2023 by then Local Government Minister Steven Miles, who is now Prime Minister.

Several voters told AAP they were unaware Bayldon-Lumsden had been charged with murder.

But those who did said he was “innocent until proven guilty” and supported his candidacy.

Rivals were quick to inform voters of the murder and suspension charges on Friday.

“There’s a big elephant in the room that people need to be aware of, so I’m trying to make sure people know that in a respectful way,” candidate Joe Wilkinson said.

Another candidate, Jenna Schroeder, criticized her rival’s decision to run again, saying the community had been without representation for months.

“I understand why people want to support Ryan as a person, but as a candidate I don’t think it’s worth risking our representation,” she said.

Bayldon-Lumsden became the Gold Coast’s youngest-ever councilor when he was elected in 2020 at the age of 27.

More than 3.5 million Queenslanders are registered to vote in Saturday’s local government poll.

Mayors and councilors are standing for election in Queensland’s 77 local governments.