Hermann Vorster
Hermann Vorster | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland for Burleigh | |
| Assumed office 26 October 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Michael Hart |
| Councillor of the Gold Coast City Council for Division 11 | |
| In office 19 March 2016 – 16 March 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Jan Grew |
| Succeeded by | Dan Doran |
| Personal details | |
| Born | South Africa |
| Political party | Liberal National |
| Profession | Politician |
Hermann Vorster is an Australian politician who has been a member of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland since 2024, representing the district of Burleigh. Prior to entering the state parliament, he served as a prominent city councillor on the Gold Coast City Council between 2016 and 2024.
Early life
Vorster was born in South Africa and raised in New Zealand, before moving to the Gold Coast at 15 years of age where he completed his secondary schooling at Somerset College.[1] Following graduation, he enrolled at Bond University and completed his degree before pursuing a career in politics.[2]
Political career
Prior to his election to public office, Vorster had worked as the press secretary to Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate.[3] He had also served as the president of the Young LNP.[4]
In March 2016, Vorster stood for and was elected to the Gold Coast City Council, representing Division 11 (covering Robina and Varsity Lakes). He succeeded retiring councillor Jan Grew.[5] Despite nominating as an independent candidate, The Australian reported in May 2016 that he had received "thousands of dollars worth" of free support from Liberal National Party members, organised by senior employees in the offices of Stuart Robert and Tate.[4][6] The Gold Coast Bulletin also reported in May of the same year that he had established a residents' group, "Friends of Robina," with only three members, in order to advertise himself as the president of the group in campaign materials.[7]
Vorster courted controversy during his council term by declaring that Chevron Island was "the home of drug labs" on the Gold Coast and "should be the subject of considered gentrification efforts."[8] Vorster was the target of harassment from a number of hoon groups, after vocally working on efforts to reduce hooning in Robina.[9][10]
Vorster is a supporter of the Gold Coast offshore cruise ship terminal proposal.[11]
In October 2023, it was reported that Vorster would retire from the Gold Coast City Council at the 2024 council election, as he had been preselected by the Liberal National Party as their candidate for the Legislative Assembly seat of Burleigh, succeeding retiring incumbent Michael Hart.[12]
References
- ^ Potts, Andrew (27 October 2024). "Queensland state election 2024: Herman Vorster's triumphant win for LNP in Burleigh". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
- ^ "The Vorsters talk living and learning in CBDRobina". CBD Robina. 11 March 2019. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
- ^ Potts, Andrew (21 March 2016). "Gold Coast City Council election 2016: The council's new wave washes in with six new faces". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
- ^ a b Klan, Anthony; McKenna, Michael (5 May 2016). "Independent councillor Vorster helped by LNP 'friends'". The Australian. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
- ^ Weston, Paul (22 March 2016). "Businessman Nic Rone announces defeat to rival Hermann Vorster in Division 11 election". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
- ^ Weston, Paul (12 May 2016). "How the Gold Coast Council poll played out behind the public stage in each division". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
- ^ Weston, Paul (28 May 2016). "New councillor Hermann Vorster accused of 'residents' group' to build election profile". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
- ^ Emery, Lea (26 October 2017). "Gold Coast councillor calls Chevron Island the 'home of drug labs' and in 'need of gentrification'". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
- ^ Ramsey, Britt (31 August 2018). "Hooning issue causing people to avoid moving into Robina". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
- ^ Halloran, Emily (27 April 2019). "Local councillor living in fear after Mexican Hoon Cartel targets home". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
- ^ Weston, Paul (7 June 2016). "Rookie Gold Coast councillor Hermann Vorster champions offshore cruise ship terminal". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ Potts, Andrew (29 October 2023). "Hermann Vorster: Robina councillor picked as LNP's Burleigh candidate". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 26 April 2024.