Former Shellharbour mayor Marianne Saliba considers political future ahead of elections

Labor stalwart Marianne Saliba’s career seemed over after elections defeats and expulsion from the party. However, the ex Shellharbour mayor could be set for a tilt at the city’s top job.

Former Shellharbour Council mayor Marianne Saliba is considering if she will attempt to return to politics.

Longtime Labor stalwart Marianne Saliba’s political career seemed over after back-to-back elections defeats and expulsion from the party she served for more than 30 years.

However, the former Shellharbour mayor said she is “giving very good consideration” to another tilt at the city’s top job.

Ms Saliba was gazumped in 2021 by political upstart Chris Homer and due to not contesting a ward, she exited politics for the first time since 2011.

The former state MP contested the heated 2022 Ward A by-election which she lost convincingly and, due to running as an independent against Labor, she was booted out of the party.

Still, Ms Saliba feels there is support for her to put her name on the ballot in September’s local government elections.

Marianne Saliba at a polling booth during the 2022 Shellharbour Council Ward A by-election. Picture: Dylan Arvela

“I walk around the community and I don’t know how many people have said to me when are you coming back?,” Ms Saliba said.

“I gave 100 per cent [as mayor] … I don’t know if at this point in my life I should put myself forward just because some people say we want you back.

Marianne Saliba was the Member for Illawarra between 1999 and 2007.

Ms Saliba said she, with the support of a “great council”, led Shellharbour from “financial ruin” and warded off a controversial proposal to merge with neighbouring Wollongong Council.

However, she claimed she was “undermined” by her own party leading into the 2021 vote – levelling the blame at Labor councillor Robert Petreski.

A United Services Union electronic billboard outside a polling booth in 2022. Picture: Supplied

“There were people in my party who were undermining me in the lead up to the December election in 2021,” Ms Saliba told this publication.

“One of my colleagues, Robert Petreski, wanted to be the mayor and he wanted to run for preselection and he didn’t get the chance to because of Covid.”

Ms Saliba said Mr Petreski pushed for a “deal” which would see him support her mayoral bid in exchange for her not running for a ward and her “number two” now-councillor John Davey not run as a Labor candidate.

Marianne Saliba and Robert Petreski. Picture: Supplied

“They just did away with me, appeased Petreski and did whatever he asked for,” Ms Saliba said.

Speaking with this publication, Mr Petreski would not be drawn on the machinations of the deal but said “the people rarely get it wrong” while hinting at his interest in contesting this year’s mayoral race.

“I’d like to thank Ms Saliba for her contribution and wish her all the very best in whatever she decides to do with her future,” Mr Petreski said.

“She is certainly correct about one thing and that’s my unwavering support for democracy and my belief that candidates should be democratically selected and elected in every level of public office. In a democracy, the people rarely get it wrong.

“I believe [a council] should reflect its community and the mayor should be its unifying figure and leader.

“If I am privileged enough to be selected as a mayoral candidate for Shellharbour, I would like to take this journey together with our community and build a vibrant city where every resident feels seen, heard and valued.”

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Originally published as Former Shellharbour mayor Marianne Saliba considers political future ahead of elections