Endorsed Labor candidate for Sydney Lord Mayor, Councillor Tony Pooley announced today that he would no longer lead the ALP ticket for the Council elections in September.
Councillor Pooley said that he was stepping down because of ' work issues ', but it is more likely that he does not want to spend another four years on the margins of power in a Clover Moore party dominated Council.
Liberal Councillor Shayne Mallard said that the 11th hour withdrawal of the former Labor Mayor raised several important questions;
"Did Tony see confidential Sussex Street polling that showed a landslide victory for Clover Moore at the election?
"Did Tony realise that his bid for the Lord Mayoralty was doomed from the start?" Shayne said.
"Tony must have seen that Clover Moore was going to trounce the ALP following the endless scandals and failures of Labor in Macquarie Street. Everyone knows that the ALP has that
unpleasant, decaying smell about it nowadays.
"Labor may now turn to retired upper house politician, Dr Meredith Bergman to lead an already defeated team to the polls. It seems that Labor are throwing in the towel before the first round. They have given up the fight before it has even begun.
Shayne who has been a Councillor alongside Tony Pooley for the past 8 years acknowledges the contribution that Tony has made.
"I would like to put on record my appreciation of Councillor Pooley's service to the local community on the City of Sydney Council and prior service on the South Sydney Council as mayor. Tony has been a dedicated local representative who has worked very effectively on behalf of residents. It is a shame that we will lose his experience after September.
"As leader of the Liberal team for this September's Council elections, I can assure all voters that the Liberal Party will not be throwing in the towel. We believe that Clover Moore's party must be held to public account by having a balance on the Council.
"The out-of-control spending and massive misuse of ratepayer money to promote Clover Moore's picture and words on everything the Council publishes must stop. Ratepayers deserve a City Council that represents all community views -- residents, businesses and leaseholders.
"Council needs to ensure that its basic services are its highest priority. It must ensure that the cash reserves are not eaten away by irresponsible and unaccountable spending. It must keep costs down and rates affordable.
"We offer the voters a real choice in September. And while it may be true that the ALP secret polling shows Clover Moore will be easily re-elected as Lord Mayor, we believe that voters will want balanced representation on the next council," Councillor Shayne Mallard concluded.
Daily Telegraph reports 'Clover Moore tipped to win against Meredith Bergman'
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