A Gold Coast City Council candidate has defended herself after online attacks criticised her links to a well-known big game hunter — her husband.
Mary-Anne Hossack is contesting Division 9 at next month's local government election.
But it is her marriage to John Hossack, who publishes an online hunting blog, that appears to be over shadowing her campaign.
The Mudgeeraba businesswoman was criticised on the Gold Coast 2020: Meet the Candidates Facebook page when photos appeared showing her husband, also known as Aussie John, posing with dead animals, including a buffalo.
Ms Hossack decided to speak out when an online review that she posted about a hunting safari business in South Africa also attracted criticism.
"I'm not a hunter, have never been a hunter," the candidate said.
"I was the non-hunter extraordinaire on that trip.
"I enjoyed the safari."
Ms Hossack, who has a gun licence, said she was not surprised her husband's passion for hunting big game had been used to try and discredit her.
"It's never been a secret," she said.
"He's an online personality, so to speak, in that industry.
"Outside of Australia that industry is respected, held up, doesn't have this kind of reaction to it.
"I see this as just taking an advantage of an opportunity they've seen. But it's not about me."
A member of the Mudgeeraba Chamber of Commerce and childcare business operator, Ms Hossack said she believed the division was missing out on vital infrastructure and she wanted the business community to play a bigger role in the division.
She also listed hooning as a major problem in the area and believes more CCTV is needed.
Expect criticism
The online criticism levelled at Ms Hossack did not come as a surprise to Councillor Glenn Tozer, the present Division 9 representative.
"Politics is a difficult game and it means that you to engage with the broader community about all manner of things," he said.
"Being resilient in the face of unfair criticism is a part of being an elected official and every candidate should remember that."
Ms Hossack said she expected her husband's love of hunting would not be accepted by some who live in the hinterland division.
"I think it will just give people a reason not to listen and that's okay, because I can understand that you can't win 100 per cent of the vote," she said.
"I knew there would be some backlash but that's just part and parcel."
The campaign is Ms Hossack's first foray into politics and she said the criticism had not discouraged her from seeking a role in council.
