Mallard to contest Clover’s seat
Openly gay Liberal City of Sydney councillor Shayne Mallard today announced that he will not stand for re-election at local government elections in September in order to contest the seat of Sydney if independent MP Clover Moore decides to quit that role.
Changes by the NSW Government mean that MPs may no longer also serve as councillors, meaning that Moore will have to choose between being the Member for Sydney and Lord Mayor of Sydney.
Mallard has been a City of Sydney councillor for more than 12 years and was instrumental in setting up the city’s relationship register for same-sex couples — the first of its kind in Australia. He was one of the first openly gay Liberal politicians to be elected to office at a local government level.
Mallard made the decision after consulting with Premier Barry O’Farrell and federal Liberal Wentworth MP Malcolm Turnbull.
The Liberals now have two weeks to select another candidate to run for Lord Mayor or a seat on council.
“I’m very proud of my 12 years on both South Sydney and City of Sydney councils,” Mallard told The Wentworth Courier.
“What I currently do in local government and what I could do in state government I see as public service.
“I love nothing more than having someone sit in my office, explaining to me some problem they’re having with council and then working to find a solution.
“If I was elected to the state seat, the doors of my office would be open to people in the same way.”
To Me, even though Clover has done a good job holding onto both Jobs.
I like her to stay as member of Sydney and resign from City Of Sydney.
Much prefer her in State parliament where she can have voice for us and the citizens of Sydney.
Another bi-election for sydney means that it will go to the O’farrell Government and give him even more power, if he wins another seat.
Do we want that. He has too much control now with his privatisation agenda etc.
Be warned.
Zzzzzzzzzz ……. how many elections will it take before Mallard gets the message that as a candidate, regardless of political persuassion, the electorate just isn’t interested.
He lacks real policy, direction, originality and charisma.
If the Liberals want to take on Clover they need a fresh candidate, not someone who’s been rejected at the ballot many times in the past.