Greenwich denies reports of state run

Australian Marriage Equality convenor Alex Greenwich has been named as Sydney MP and Lord Mayor Clover Moore’s successor for her state seat.

The City News is reporting sources close to the Lord Mayor have confirmed Greenwich will run for the state seat with Moore’s blessing.

Greenwich refused to confirm or deny if he was standing, or if there had been any conversations with the Lord Mayor about his standing for the seat.

“It’s not something I am considering at the moment,” Greenwich told the Star Observer.

“A lot of people would be considered to be good, strong independents and some people have mentioned it to me.”

“My focus is on local council and marriage equality.”

Several sources contacted by the Star Observer confirmed they had been hearing repeated and consistent rumours for weeks that Greenwich would stand for the seat.

The Lord Mayor must vacate the seat before the first council meeting following local government elections on September 8 due to laws passed by NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell which prevent individuals from sitting as both an MP and councillor.

A spokesperson for the Lord Mayor’s office refused to confirm or deny the report and said the Lord Mayor was unavailable.

“It’s really premature to discuss as there is still a sitting member for the state seat of Sydney,” a spokesman told the Star Observer.

However, a spokesman from Moore’s electorate office provided a statement from the MP.

“While I’m really hoping there will be a strong independent champion to continue working for Sydney electors, and not just one more cog in the party machine, I’m focused on the approaching council election at this time,” it read.

Greenwich also refused to say if there had been discussions or any planning for him to take over the seat involving the Lord Mayor.

Greenwich is currently campaigning for election to City of Sydney Council but is at the end of the Lord Mayor’s ticket in the eighth spot, well behind the five spots the team is expected to win.

The City News report speculated that this was a profile boosting exercise ahead of a by-election, which will need to be held after Moore vacates her seat before the first council meeting after local government elections.