‘Best for all concerned’: Coast councillor accused of killing step-dad agrees to stand down
A Gold Coast councillor charged with the murder of his stepfather has accepted a suspension from his elected position.
A photo of Gold Coast City Council Division 7 councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden is seen on his office on the Gold Coast, Thursday, August 24, 2023. Queensland police have charged a Gold Coast city councillor with murder following the death of a 58-year-old man at Arundel. (AAP Image/Darren England)
Acting Premier Steven Miles this week gave Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden until the close of business on Friday to show why he should not be suspended with pay as he awaits trial for allegedly murdering Robert Malcolm Lumsden, 58, at the family’s Arundel home on August 23.
Bayldon-Lumsden, 30, was released on bail with a $250,000 surety following a Supreme Court hearing last week.
His lawyers have said he intends to plead not guilty.
Mr Miles, who is also the local government minister, said he had received a letter from Bayldon-Lumsden’s lawyers on Friday morning confirming he would not contest Mr Miles’ proposal to suspend his pay until at least the council elections next March.
“I believe that’s the fairest outcome for everyone involved – the councillor themselves, all of the witnesses, council staff, the City of the Gold Coast as well as the people who live in his division,” Mr Miles told reporters.
“We’ve sought to have the fairest process possible, taking into account two important principles: one, that everyone is entitled to be presumed innocent until they’re found guilty, but also the health and safety of council staff and the needs of the people who live in that division to be represented.”
The suspension would be in place until April or the council election, then reviewed after that, he said.
The Palaszczuk government sought urgent Crown law advice after the charge against Bayldon-Lumsden and Mr Miles informed cabinet of his decision on Monday.
He then issued a show cause notice to the councillor and gave him until Friday as part of the “natural justice process” to dispute the decision.
Mr Miles said the next steps would be to confirm the suspension at a Governor in Council meeting and appoint an advisor to replace Bayldon-Lumsden in his division.
The Gold Coast council had proposed a former councillor for the role.
The person had previously represented that division and “I think they’re an appropriately experienced and trustworthy person to take on that role”, Mr Miles said.
Bayldon-Lumsden became the youngest-ever Gold Coast councillor when was elected at age 27 in 2020.
