Thomas Brough, who claimed ‘minor-attracted’ persons part of LGBTQ+ community, wins Albany Lib preselection

An Albany councillor who linked the LGBTQIA+ community to paedophiles has won Liberal preselection. Emergency doctor Thomas Brough defeated 2021 State candidate Scott Leary at an Albany preselection battle on Tuesday night, setting him up to take on Labor’s Rebecca Stephens at the March 2025 poll. Cr Brough falsely claimed, while Albany Pride was ongoing, at a February council meeting that the LGBTQIA+ umbrella encompassed “minor-attracted persons” — a euphemism for paedophiles. “Within the coalition of the LGBTQIA+, the plus includes people who identify as minor-attracted persons,” he said following another councillor’s remarks about attending a Pride event. “I would encourage all citizens and councillors to look up what being a minor-attracted person is.” Liberal leader Libby Mettam slammed his comments at the time as “bizarre” and “not appropriate”. However, the doctor and councillor doubled down in subsequent media interviews. “I just think we’re talking about a broad coalition,” Cr Brough told the ABC. “People are rightly concerned about some of the people who come into that coalition.” Albany Pride also condemned the councillor’s comments, with vice president Millie Reid referring to the remarks as “devastating”. “The harm caused to our community when misinformation and homophobia is freely supported is significant,” she said. Police revealed in April that they were investigating an act of vandalism after someone painted “T. Brough SUX D” in 2m high letters on the west-facing side of Bluff Rock in Burmup Reserve — an apparent reference to the controversial politician. Dr Brough’s preselection win over Mr Leary — which The West understands was clear, but not a landslide — will go to the Liberal party State Council on May 11 for endorsement. Mr Leary himself courted controversy during the 2021 campaign after suggesting rape allegations against then-Attorney General Chrisitan Porter might have been “motivated” to alter the outcome of the State election. In the wake of the 2021 poll that left the State Liberals with just two lower house seats, several senior party figures — including former leaders Mike Nahan and Bill Hassell — condemned the influence of the religious right, claiming it had turned off mainstream Australians. The Liberal party will next week choose between four candidates for the swing seat of Mt Lawley — where Labor has chosen staffer and crooner Frank Paolino to succeed two-term incumbent Simon Millman. The candidates include real estate agent Erit David, former UK Tory candidate James Fairbairn, Stirling councillor and Perth Zoo manager Joe Ferrante and party staffer Ben Cornel. Nominations last week closed for Kalgoorlie, where the party will choose between Rowena Olsen and Matthew Eggleston to take on Labor’s Ali Kent.

Thomas Brough, who claimed ‘minor-attracted’ persons part of LGBTQ+ community, wins Albany Lib preselection

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