The Gold Coast mayor has revealed he was a guest of the Trump Organisation at the luxurious Mar-a-lago estate, before an Australian developer signed a deal to build a Trump-branded tower at Surfers Paradise.
Tom Tate met US President Donald Trump and his son Eric Trump on the Valentine’s Day weekend in Florida, as part of a broader month-long overseas trip to Italy, the UAE and the USA.
Cr Tate told ABC News that ratepayers did not fund his Mar-a-lago visit.
Tom Tate visted Mar-a-Lago between February 12 and 14 this year. (AP Photo: Steve Helber)
“Some part of the trip I pay and some other parts was an invitation as mayor of the city to be there, by the Trump Organisation,” he said.
“I was there as mayor of the city; that’s a gift to the city, not to me.
“I’m pretty sure Tom Tate wouldn’t have gotten an invite, mayor of the Gold Coast got an invite.”
His office said he arrived at Mar-a-lago on Thursday, February 12, and departed on Saturday, February 14, and that “all hospitality received during the mayoral mission will be reported in accordance with legislative requirements”.
Tom Tate says ratepayers did not fund his Mar-a-lago visit. (ABC News: Mark Leonardi)
State legislation requires councillors to declare, within 30 days, gifts of $500 or more, along with any sponsored travel or accommodation benefits.
How did the meeting come about?
Cr Tate said he first wrote a letter to the US president to congratulate him on his election last year, and to express concerns about US tariffs on the film and screen industry.
Then came the prospect of business opportunities for the Trump Organisation.
“They wanted to invest first in Australia, and of course Queensland is the go-to part of Australia,” Cr Tate said.
“The Gold Coast, if you analyse the data, it’s one of the best investments when it comes to property.”
It turned into an invitation to dinner, just before the signing of a $1.5 billion deal between Australian property developer Altus CEO David Young and the Trump Organisation’s executive vice president Eric Trump.
Australian developer David Young with Eric Trump. (Supplied: Altus Property Group)
“The Gold Coast got a guernsey to meet the leader of the free world,” he said.
“He [Donald Trump] was well briefed; he knew who I was.
“He came up and called me Mr Mayor and I said, ‘just call me Tom’.
“We were drinking expensive wine and a couple of tomahawks there, and I thought I’ll just go slow at pulling out my wallet, and they beat me to it,” he told radio station Triple-M last week.
Cr Tate told ABC News he was not asked for any assurances that he or the council would approve the Trump Tower building application when it is lodged.
“They’re professional,” he said.
“They know that councillors have to have an open mind.”
The proposal for a six-star 91-storey resort hotel and luxury apartments has already stirred controversy, with tens of thousands signing online petitions opposing it.Â
“From what I see, it fits the character of Surfers Paradise,” Cr Tate said.
“They’re going for top of the range. I think they’ll spend the extra dollars to overcome any concerns we may have.”
The ABC has revealed that the developer, David Young, has previously gone bankrupt twice.
Cr Tate said that does not worry him, as the “team” around Mr Young has the capability to do the project.
The Surfers Paradise site for the proposed Trump Tower has passed through several owners. (ABC Gold Coast: Dominic Cansdale)
The address of the proposed high-rise is at Trickett Street, on a lot that has been vacant for more than a decade, passing through several owners.
The site has existing approval for an 89-storey high-rise.
The Trump Organisation is hoping to turn the first sod in August, if the project is given the green light.