‘Difficult’ reason why councillor quit the Greens

AFTER being left off the party’s ticket for the next election, he will still vie for a spot on the council next year.

Byron councillor Michael Lyon.

BYRON Shire Councillor Michael Lyon has announced he is parting ways with the Greens.

Cr Lyon missed out on a spot on the Byron Greens' ticket when the party's candidates for the 2021 council election were decided earlier this year.

This week he confirmed he was leaving the party, but will contest the election as an independent.

"I'm definitely running at the next election," he said.

He said it was "difficult" to see his time with the Greens come to an end.

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In 2019, he was the party's candidate for the federal seat of Richmond, long held by Labor's Justine Elliot.

"I gave up a good job as general manager of Santos in order to run a very strong federal campaign," he said.

"I've committed myself to public service.

"I've got a lot left to give.

Cr Lyon said his approach to council matters as an independent wouldn't differ greatly from his time with the Greens.

He said he would still be "part of the wider Greens effort".

"That's where my heart is," he said.

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