‘I wouldn’t completely rule it out’: Former City councillor Anne Moran considers a comeback

Controversial former city councillor Anne Moran has revealed what she is up to after her election loss but hasn’t ruled out a comeback – sooner than you’d think.

Adelaide Festival Centre's 50th Anniversary Celebration at Adelaide Town Hall – Phillip Martin, Anne Moran and Hieu Van Le. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Former Adelaide City representative Anne Moran has admitted she was “consumed by council” as it descended into bitterness and division last year – but hasn’t ruled out a comeback.

Mrs Moran was a fixture for more than a quarter of the century and one of the council’s most colourful – and controversial – figures.

But last November she lost her seat after 27 years, following a final four-year term in which the council was consumed by bitter infighting between the dominant Team Adelaide faction and independents.

So what’s she doing now?

“I’m catching up on all the things I didn’t have time or much interest in while consumed by council, which was all-consuming for me,’’ she said.

Anne Moran at her home in North Adelaide. Picture: Emma Brasier

“We have done a bit more travelling but my husband is still working so we have to adjust our time accordingly but hope to do more.

“My mother died quite unexpectedly halfway through the last election so a few things sadly had to be sorted out.

“I’ve given myself a bit of a breather to adjust to my new situation and haven’t really filled the gap left by council yet.

“I would like to still contribute to the community in some way.”

Despite her loss, Mrs Moran is happy that what she now acknowledges is an “alliance” of Green/Left independents wiped away the conservative Team Adelaide in the November local government elections.

She lost her position as an Area Councillor but may be able to make a comeback in the central ward, where election results are being contested in the Court of Disputed Returns that could result in another poll.

Former Adelaide City Councillor Anne Moran wants to contribute more to the city. Picture: Emma Brasier

“As to the possibility of throwing my hat in to run a central ward election which may be held this year, I wouldn’t completely rule it out,’’ she said.

“I have represented the central ward as well as south and North Adelaide so I am very familiar with that ward.

“I would have liked to have been part of this much better council with Jane Lomax-Smith at the helm.

“I was thrilled that I helped to break the chokehold of the … right faction known as Team Adelaide I fear they may sneak back in via the central ward by-election.”

Although the tag is rejected by the group, the council is now dominated by what Mrs Moran describes as a “loose alliance” of Green/Left councillors.

It comprises long-time former Labor Minister Dr Lomax-Smith, former head of the SA Union movement Janet Giles, Green Keiran Snape, Labor staffer David Elliot, former Labor candidate Mark Siebentritt, left-leaning Jing Li, and in part heritage/resident-focused Deputy Lord Mayor Phillip Martin.

“I think that’s a loose Alliance against the structures … of Team Adelaide who’s still there but in a minority,’' Mrs Moran said.

“Being Green/Left isn’t that bad and a lot of councils are left as in Melbourne. They (councillors) don’t like you saying it but it is true and they shouldn’t object to it.”

Mrs Moran, who was a residential advocate when serving, said the council copped continual criticism from locals, but the record when she served for 27 years was extraordinary.

“I still hear some people saying I and people like me have held back the city and yet we get amazing rankings and have for 30 years as a liveable city,’’ she said.

“That doesn’t happen by accident, that happens by being careful with your development, and not just let any high-rise or Walker corporation high-rise be built on the parklands.

“It comes from opposing some bad development and supporting good development.

“If you go to Melbourne it is a freakin’ nightmare of a city.”

Mrs Moran said she visits Melbourne often for family.

“We should stop apologising for our city,’’ she said.

“The number of times I heard on council ‘Melbourne has got this, Melbourne has got that’ – Have these people been to Melbourne recently?

“It is horrible. There are traffic jams everywhere and the public transport is packed.

“Everything in Adelaide is just as good.”