CR LANCE Hewlett has been elected deputy mayor despite two councillors saying the vote was tainted and based on a secret deal.
Councillors Julie Talty and Paul Gleeson left chambers in protest during the vote, saying Cr Hewlett’s nomination was the outcome of a deal by councillors stitched up before the last election.
Cr Hewlett replaces Cr Wendy Boglary who was deputy mayor for two years.
Cr Talty said she would remove herself before the vote as the decision had been tainted by the secret back room deal.
The deal was to ensure support for two two-year appointments to the position of deputy mayor, a position that carried a salary hike of about $10,000 a year.
“I consider this vote for this candidate now so tainted that I choose to remove myself from the chamber and declare an ethical conflict of interest,” she said.
Cr Murray Elliott objected to Cr Talty’s mention of a back room deal.
“You are trying to turn this into a circus,” he said.
Cr Paul Golle said it was absurd and abhorrent that councillors Talty and Gleeson had decided to grand-stand on the issue and make out there had been a deal behind the scenes.
Cr Talty said she had been told some councillors had “been put under considerable pressure to stick to their deal”.
“I encourage anyone else who does not support the decision for this vote having been made two years ago in a clandestine meeting of councillors and candidates prior to the last election to leave with me and challenge those of you who stay not to apply further pressure or bullying tactics to any councillor who chooses to leave the room.”
Cr Gleeson also left later.
The remaining councillors voted in favour of Cr Hewlett’s appointment, with mayor Karen Williams and Cr Peter Mitchell not at the meeting.
Cr Talty said she would have supported Cr Boglary as deputy mayor for a further two years.
Cr Mark Edwards said he was disappointed Cr Boglary had not put herself forward to continue as deputy mayor.
Cr Boglary said she had been honoured to be deputy mayor.
She said letting someone else take on the role would give them the opportunity for self-development.
After the council meeting Cr Hewlett said councillors Talty and Gleeson were part of a ballot vote for deputy mayor before Wednesday’s meeting.
“There were two rounds of voting,” Cr Hewlett said.
He said councillors also had opportunities, before and during Wednesday’s meeting, to nominate another councillor for the position.
Cr Hewlett said there was no intimidation or bullying from his point of view ahead of the vote.
