8:59a.m. 14th February 2008

| By Mark Furler

Former State Member for Kawana and Caloundra City councillor Chris Cummins is considering running for the Sunshine Coast council's top job.

But his surprise public announcement was a disaster this morning when his phone dropped out while talking to local radio station 92.7 Mix FM while they were hosting mayor contenders Joe Natoli and Bob Abbot.

Mr Cummins began to outline his history as a councillor and State MP before he started dropping out, leaving his rivals waiting to hear the words from Mr Cummins' own mouth as to whether he would run.

"Not a great start,'' Joe Natoli, the Maroochy mayor could be heard saying.

Mr Abbot, the Noosa mayor, indicated he believed Mr Cummins was only testing the water to see whether there was support before deciding whether or not to put his hand up.

"At the end of the day I've got a feeling there will only be two,'' Mr Abbot said.

"He has not said it yet.

"I would like to hear him saying it.''

Check out Joe Natoli v Bob Abbot today

Mr Cummins apparently rang the station yesterday to organise to do the 8.30am cross in prime time while Mr Natoli and Mr Abbot were in the studio. But instead of doing it from a landline, he gambled on his mobile and ended up leaving listeners hanging.

Breakfast host Caroline Hutchinson, who devoted her 'Is it just Me' piece to praising those having the courage to run for public office, later clarified that Mr Cummins was only 'considering' running and just testing the waters.

Mr Natoli, who faced 10 other candidates in his last electoral battle for mayor, said Mr Cummins was entitled to put his hand up but it would be a matter of waiting to see.

While the Daily has repeatedly left messages with Mr Cummins, he has refused to talk with us, instead blogging on this site to say: "I will be seeking an unreserved public commitment from both mayoral candidates that they will continue to support the current location for the planned new Sunshine Coast Regional Hospital.

"One of my proudest achievements as a State Government Minister was to secure the much needed, new billion dollar hospital which is to be located on the planned main transport corridor at Kawana (CAMCOS corridor).

"I have respect for both Mayor Bob Abbott and Mayor Joe Natoli and in speaking to them individually, I have advised them I will be making my decision in coming days, and obviously an announcement at the appropriate time.''

In December 2004, a News Ltd paper labelled Chris Cummins the worst minister in the Queensland Government.

But at the time, Mr Cummins, then Emergency Services Minister, said that could be the ultimate seal of approval.

"The Deputy Premier said he got zero out of 10 in his first year and the Premiers first (report card) said hed never make it, Mr Cummins said.

"If theyre that accurate in their predictions, Ill be very happy.

In July, 2006, he was dubbed the Minister for Nothing by the Opposition amid criticism of his $191,755 annual salary and chauffeur-driven limousine.

The Opposition said then Premier Peter Beattie had stripped the Minister of every single responsibility including legislation and funding, along with stripping him of an entire Department.

In November 2005, Mr Cummins was again in the news after he sparked an evacuation of Parliament by cooking toast

In March that year, Mr Cummins faced calls for his resignation over claims he spent eight months harassing Maroochy Shire Council to drop a $60 parking fine.