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Thomas Coyne

Politicians and community members across Queensland have expressed their shock and sadness at the sudden death of former Greens candidate and activist Thomas Coyne. The 21-year-old was the only victim of a horror car crash near Allora early on Monday morning. Known for his passionate support of marriage equality, climate action and progressive politics, Mr Coyne ran for the Greens in Toowoomba South at last year’s state election. Federal Queensland Labor Senator Nita Green led a chorus of tributes for Mr Coyne from across the political spectrum. “You don’t meet people like Thomas very often. They leave an indelible mark on you,” she wrote on Twitter. “He was brave, bold and bright. This is just so very sad.” Toowoomba Councillor Megan O’Hara Sullivan said Mr Coyne was an “activist in every sense of the word”. “One of my first requests as an elected official was from Thomas — he wanted council to recognise International Day Against Homophobia,” she wrote on Facebook. “We lit up the Victoria Street bridge in rainbow colours.” .”Former Toowoomba North Greens candidate and disability advocate Alyce Nelligan was one of the first to pay tribute to her close friend. “Thomas was a bright light in this world — he was relentlessly committed to doing good.”

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