Chris Garry 21st August 2009 DRIVING CONTROVERSY: Mayor Paul Pisasale and Ipswich central Motors dealer John Grant in the ute at the centre
of the “ute gate” affair. IPSWICH Mayor Paul Pisasale has climbed into the driver’s seat of Australia’s most controversial ute – not concerned that a similar act nearly ruined a politician’s career. The mid-’90s Mazda at the centre of the ‘Ute-gate’ affair that caused a political furore two months ago will be back in the spotlight at the Willowbank V8 Supercar event this weekend. The ute will be raffled off for charity during the event with the winner enjoying a ride around the track in the ute’s passenger seat – while Mayor Pisasale drives. The ute’s owner, local Ipswich car dealer John Grant, dubbed the event ‘Charity-gate’. Mr Grant, who once loaned the ute to his friend and neighbour Prime Minister Kevin Rudd – causing a chain of controversy – said he was glad the affair could now be put to good use.
“The whole ‘Ute-gate’ thing was absolutely overblown,†Mr Grant said.