Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner says Brisbane 'the centre of my universe'
Adrian Schrinner has been sworn in to become Brisbane’s 17th lord mayor in a special meeting of Brisbane City Council on Monday, saying “Brisbane has been at the centre of my universe”.
Outgoing lord mayor Graham Quirk, who formally resigned on Sunday night, left his seat of power and joined family and friends seated at the back of the chamber, listening intently to the speeches made by councillors for and against the selection of the new leadership team.
Hailing his elevation as building on a long history of stable LNP mayors, Cr Schrinner said his mayoralty would be focused on “two pillars” of building and protecting Brisbane.
Cr Schrinner was joined by new deputy mayor Krista Adams, in a packed chamber with family and friends watching on, including former lord mayors Campbell Newman and Sallyanne Atkinson.
In his first speech as lord mayor, Cr Schrinner thanked his colleagues for their trust in him, and thanked his wife Nina for her ongoing support.
“She has been my lighthouse and my safe harbour,” he said.
Like many councillors across the parties who stood to speak in the special meeting, Cr Schrinner paid tribute to Cr Quirk for his dignity and leadership.
Labor councillors opposed the appointment of Cr Schrinner and Cr Adams, with opposition leader Peter Cumming (Wynnum-Manly) saying the pair had overseen financial mismanagement and should not be appointed.
Cr Cumming listed major infrastructure projects such as the Kingsford Smith Drive as examples of mismanagement that should disqualify Cr Schrinner as lord mayor.
The new-look LNP administration sworn in included not just a new lord mayor and deputy mayor but changes to the council’s civil cabinet.
Council chair Angela Owen (Calamvale), now a federal candidate for the seat of Moreton, oversaw her last council meeting to welcome the new lord mayor before councillor Andrew Wines (Enoggera) takes her place.
Cr Adams thanked Cr Owen for her work as chair, but independent councillor Nicole Johnston questioned why Cr Owen was being “dumped” by her own party.
Councillor Steven Toomey will take the role of deputy chair from Ryan Murphy (Doboy), who has stepped up to take Cr Schrinner’s role as public and active transport chair.
A new whip and deputy whip for the LNP were also selected, with councillor Adam Allan taking Cr Wines’ role, and deputy whip councillor Kim Marx.