Brian Hopper
Age: 50
Occupation: Security guard and bartender
Marital status: Married
1. You haven’t had a prominent role in public life outside Dancing With Our Stars. What makes you think you have enough experience to be one of the chosen 12 councillors?
I worked with the public service back in my Army days, so I know how to work in different groups and give everyone a chance to voice their thoughts and ideas. Everyone’s got their own barrow to push, but if you just listen to them and try to see things from a different perspective there may be a chance to meet them halfway.
2. You’ve been criticised in some quarters for labelling council a “Mikeopoly”. Do you really have enough insight to make such a statement or are you just playing politics?
I’m calling it as I see it. Candidates have already said they’re just going through this election to support Mike (Neville) and I just think that’s disingenuous, trying to steal votes for somebody else. A lot of people are disenfranchised with the current situation. If people just vote with their hearts and don’t really look into it, they could be giving votes to someone they really didn’t want to.
3. By making a public stance against Mike and the sale of the Railway Street block, haven’t you already compromised your independence by running along the same lines as one of council’s factions?
I’ve criticised Mike because of the imbalance at council. Having people following blindly simply because it adds numbers and power to their leaders is not adding balance. Everyone should have a fair go. In terms of the Railway Street land, I know it is a foregone conclusion. While I understand the point of view of selling the land quickly, I am disappointed there was no consultation with the public beforehand.
4. What do you see as the priority issues if you’re elected to council?
Restoring and maintaining a fair political balance so all issues can be heard. I really want to endorse the 10 Big Ideas Griffith Business Chamber has put forward, simply because the shop owners are the cornerstone of where we get our feedback. No one goes into council and says, “that roundabout took way too long”, they go into a shop and talk about it as part of a conversation.
5. You work as a security guard and make no secret you’re from a working-class background. Why is important to have someone like you in the mix at council?
Because, unlike others who might meet and greet the common man, I tend to think I still am the common man. I don’t have big business aspirations and I don’t have any self-interest in any particular industry. I’m the one who drives a 12-year-old, second-hand car, I’ve got a great home that I’ve worked hard for and a good family.