Adelaide City Councillor Houssam Abiad, a former deputy lord mayor, has quit the council
Former deputy lord mayor and Adelaide City Councillor Houssam Abiad has resigned from council – “a big surprise” according to another councillor.
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Former deputy lord mayor Houssam Abiad has announced his immediate resignation from the Adelaide City Council.
Contacted today by The Advertiser about his new job working in the Middle East, Mr Abiad immediately emailed Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor and all other councillors.
The man who has been regarded as the leader of “Team Adelaide” faction on the ACC said it was with a “heavy heart” he was tendering his resignation after nine years on council.
The 43-year-old said his position had become “untenable.”
The email reads in part: “I have emerging business interests in Adelaide and overseas and feel it is now untenable for me to continue to devote time to my position as a councillor with the City of Adelaide”.
The Advertiser has established Mr Abiad is currently living and working in Saudi Arabia.
In an emailed response to The Advertiser Mr Abiad would not disclose the nature of his work in the Arab country.
“I have been undertaking some private contract work and my clients and my business interests are confidential,” he wrote.
Mr Abiad, who is married to Ava, took leave from council after its final meeting of the year in December.
He was absent from the first full council meeting held on Tuesday.
He said his decision to stand down as deputy mayor in November, to be replaced by Alex Hyde, was not contingent on him taking work overseas.
Mr Abiad also resigned as chair of the Australian Day Council – SA.
He said in a statement to Multicultural affairs minister Jing Lee: “It is with a very heavy heart that I tender my resignation as your Chairperson for the Australia Day Council of South Australia.
“2020 marks the start of the tenth year for me on the ADCSA, and it has been an absolutely marvellous journey.
“I will be submitting my resignation shortly to the Lord Mayor to vacate my position as councillor on the City of Adelaide.
I am presented with an incredible opportunity, a once in a life time offer to be part of a team that wants to effect change at a global level.”
Mr Abiad is a member of the Liberal Party but annoyed the hierarchy with his stand against the government’s land tax reform proposal last year, saying the tax would have “a detrimental impact on the city”.
An Adelaide City councillor, who didn’t wish to be named, said Mr Abiad’s resignation was “a big surprise” and would be “regretted by some” and “welcomed by others”.
“He’s been a divisive figure in many regards,” they said.
Councillor Jessy Khera said Mr Abiad would definitely be missed.
“A diligent and collegiate councillor driven by his love for the city,” Mr Khera commented.
In his email to council Mr Abiad said he had many “ups and downs” over the years.
“But the journey by far has been very positive and at every turn we have managed to deliver incredible outcomes for our city.”
The cost to the ACC of holding a by-election is estimated at more than $60,000.
