I was astounded to read Mandy Nolan’s article ‘Why The Nude Beach Is A Wicked Problem’, in which she implied that it may largely be Queenslanders coming to the nude beach for predatory purposes. Really Mandy? I know you are running for election but trying to gain votes by rolling out this old trope is a pretty low act. You have no evidence for this, it seems you just thought you might throw this in the mix and potentially inflame this issue.
As a Queenslander who has made her home in the Byron Shire, I was shocked to read what you said. You said that during COVID [when borders were closed] sexual predation was close to nil and so, by association, you think it must be Queenslanders engaging in this predation! In fact, during Covid crime rates were much lower across all states. I wonder why? Next we will have vigilantes asking people where they are from and God help them if they are from Queensland!
Mandy talks about online platforms supercharging safety concerns. I would suggest Mandy has ‘supercharged safety concerns’ by implying that the source of the sexual predation has come from Queenslanders! This statement is a divisive and toxic one which contributes nothing to the issue of the nude beach.
The same thing occurred with the recent referendum. I attended the ‘Yes’ campaign’s get-together on referendum night. Mandy proceeded to pay out on Queensland for voting ‘No’ and then found out, a few minutes later, that Richmond had voted ‘No’.
These statements are very disappointing and concerning from someone who is asking us to consider her as a Greens candidate for Richmond. Cheap shots at Queenslanders might work short term, but considered arguments are what will help solve complex issues in the long term.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
