History Trust of SA chief executive Greg Mackie resigns from Adelaide City Council

A lord mayoral aspirant has quit city council – effective immediately – taking a hefty swipe at its dominant faction on the way out.

Lord mayoral aspirant Greg Mackie has quit Adelaide City Council, blaming its “corrosive nature” for his decision.

The long term senior public servant, arts administrator and former book seller tendered his resignation to Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor on Tuesday.

In his letter, Mr Mackie confirmed for the first time he had been planning to run against Ms Verschoor at the council elections in November.

“There are many in our city community and beyond who have encouraged me to make a stand and to contest the lord mayoralty later this year in the hope of achieving more effective leadership in the next term,” he said.

Instead, the History Trust of SA chief executive said he had decided “I will not be taking that path” for various reasons, ranging from personal to professional.

Councillors Greg Mackie and Anne Moran during an Adelaide City Council meeting at Adelaide Town Hall. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Mr Mackie, who was elected as a Central Ward councillor in a by-election two years ago, said he had to dedicate himself to other priorities.

These included finding new headquarters for the History Trust following the new Labor state government’s decision not to relocate the government agency to Ayers House.

Taking aim at the council’s dominant Team Adelaide faction, Mr Mackie said the “least productive investment” of his time was “that committed to the Adelaide City Council body politic”.

“I lament that my second time as an elected member over the last two years has been most unpleasant,” he said.

Greg Mackie (right) with former Adelaide City councillor Robert Simms. Picture: Matthew Kroker

“The considerable effort made is cancelled out by the relentless domination of the Team Adelaide faction, and this has become the main game.

“The absence of mature and respectful exchange is alarming to anyone who believes in democratic principles, but not something that one independent member can address or remedy.”

Mr Mackie said his immediate departure would “make little difference to the predictable mathematics” to the council’s voting patterns.

“Having previously served on the council (2000-03), I am no stranger to a contest of ideas,” he said.

“In councils past, disagreement and even in-chamber intemperance were counterbalanced by the shared experience of breaking bread together on meeting nights.

“We met deliberatively on a fortnightly basis – that opportunity has been halved by you, Lord Mayor and your dominant faction.”

Mr Mackie said “sadly” the council was “controlled, not led” with “divide and rule no substitute for real leadership”.

“There is no civility, and certain members of the dominant faction ostracise those not of their ilk, triggering other reaction,” he said.

There will not be a by-election to replace Mr Mackie.