78er in bid for Town Hall

78er in bid for Town Hall

Would-be lord mayor Michael Lee has presented the ALP team he will be taking to the City of Sydney local government elections.

Among the people standing for the City of Sydney are former South Sydney mayor Tony Pooley and New Mardi Gras director Diane Minnis.

Lee said his main priorities were better public transport in the city and upgrades of Victoria and Prince Alfred parks.

We need a council that showcases our harbour city to the world and attracts new business and new jobs, Lee said. And most importantly, a council that makes the city a great place to live.

I have been doorknocking and holding street meetings for months, and people tell me they want a council that will get the basics right; collecting the garbage, improving parks and gardens and providing community services.

Minnis is number six on the ALP ticket. A 78er, she has been active in the gay and lesbian community since the 70s, including a stint on the New Mardi Gras board this year.

I’ve been very interested in the City of Sydney for a long time, Minnis said.

With the expanded South Sydney and City of Sydney boundary I think it’s really important that there be representation of the gay and lesbian community on the council.

With Shayne Mallard standing for lord mayor with endorsement by the Liberal Party, guesthouse owner Phillip Black’s endorsement by Clover Moore and Minnis’s inclusion on the ALP ticket, all major council contenders have gay and lesbian representatives.

Meantime, former City mayor Lucy Turnbull has offered financial backing to independent candidate Clover Moore, who announced last week she intended to stand for lord mayor. Moore has ruled out quitting her current Bligh MP day job.

The City of Sydney election will be held on 27 March.

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