Political odd couple unite in mayoral tilt
AN unusual political paring will contest the Clarence City Council mayoral elections, with a Labor and a Liberal candidate joining forces as unlikely running mates.
Labor councillor Heather Chong has revealed she will be running for mayor alongside Liberal councillor James Walker, who is gunning for deputy mayor.
Ms Chong has been deputy mayor for four years and will be hoping to fill the shoes of Doug Chipman.
Mr Chipman has announced he will be retiring as mayor at the end of this term.
Ms Chong said she and Mr Walker’s views diverge on a range of issues, but they both had the common goal of working together constructively for the sake of Clarence.
“If you look at our voting record, there are absolutely things we differ on, but I think that’s a benefit for people because we listen to each other and respect each other’s viewpoints,” she said.
“I think if we’re going to represent the disparate views of people in our community, you need to be able to discuss with them, listen to them, and bring their views forward.”
Clarence City Council’s culture of bickering and infighting was the subject of a damning report which found councillors were riven by “destructive and unprofessional” feuds.
At the most recent meeting councillors adopted an “aldermen issues resolutions procedure” for when arguments get out of hand.
Mr Walker said he was confident that if elected mayor Ms Chong would be the cool head on council who would lead Clarence into a more constructive direction.
“Heather will make a tremendous Mayor of Clarence. She has a strong understanding of the budget and the issues that are affecting our community,” Mr Walker said.
“Most importantly, she is a consensus builder and brings people together – I believe our community is hungry for that approach.”
The straight-talking Mr Walker was elected to council in 2012 and was raised in Clarence since he was a five years old.
He has decided not to contest the Franklin by-election following the resignation of former minister Jacquie Petrusma in a show of “just how committed” he is to Clarence.
Mr Walker said their priority was keeping the budget under control through sensible financial management and judicious borrowing.
After the October elections Clarence will have its first new mayor in more than a decade.
Mr Chipman was elected as mayor 11 years ago.
He has endorsed Ms Chong and Mr Walker in their leadership bids.