Controversial Queensland politician Ray Stevens has reacted bizarrely when being questioned over his involvement in a proposal to build a cable car on the Gold Coast.
Mr Stevens was at a pre-polling booth in his Gold Coast seat of Mermaid Beach when he was approached by Independent Australia editor David Donovan.
Queensland's leader of the house and former Gold Coast mayor has come under scrutiny over his role as an investor and adviser for a proposed 100m cableway in the Gold Coast hinterland.
His involvement has critics suggesting he's at risk of a conflict of interest, but Mr Stevens maintains he's been given the all-clear by the state's Integrity Commissioner so long as he doesn't lobby for the development.
In a video of the attempted interview, Mr Stevens first tells Mr Donovan to go through his office to arrange an interview.
When pressed on the matter of the cableway and his reluctance to publish the Integrity Commissioner's findings, Mr Stevens stops talking and resorts to hand gestures.
The incumbent Liberal National Party candidate stands in front of Mr Donovan with his arms spread wide, smiling broadly, as a stunned Mr Donovan asks how much money Mr Stevens expects to make from the proposed project.
Mr Stevens then makes a "talk-talk" gesture with one hand before waving off Mr Donovan and walking away.
Mr Donovan earlier interviewed Palmer United Party candidate Alex Caraco and Labor's Gary Pead at the booth with both happy to criticise Mr Stevens' involvement in the cableway project.
Anti-cableway protesters held a demonstration outside Mr Stevens' electorate office on Tuesday holding signs expressing their opposition to the plans.
Premier Campbell Newman threw his support behind Mr Stevens, describing him as a "great bloke".
"It's pretty funny though, I've got to say, a bit odd and perhaps a lot of people out there will set the video to some music," Mr Newman said while flying back to Brisbane from Cairns.
"I do say people should get behind him, he should get re-elected as the local member and people get to make that choice in a few days' time."
The premier supported Mr Stevens' involvement in the cable car project, which he said had been independently cleared.
"He will be in no way be involved in decision-making process, the arrangements have been signed off by the integrity commissioner," he said.
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