City of Sydney council funds used to aid Clover Moore’s allies

EXCLUSIVE: LORD Mayor Clover Moore’s council is handing another ratepayer-funded grant to an organisation led by an associate.

Clover Moore’s City of Sydney is giving $6000 to Strata Community Australia NSW to sponsor an environmental award. Picture: Adam Taylor

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LORD Mayor Clover Moore’s council is handing another ratepayer-funded grant to an organisation led by an associate — the second time this week a political ally has ­indirectly benefited from her largesse.

Ms Moore’s City of Sydney is giving $6000 to Strata Community Australia NSW to sponsor an environmental award.

An SCA NSW director, Catherine Lezer, ran for Ms Moore’s political party in September’s city election. SCA is a peak body for strata managers.

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SCA NSW director Catherine Lezer.

Independent State MP Alex Greenwich.

But City of Sydney and Ms Lezer insist the grant has nothing to do with her association with the Lord Mayor, who was not present when the grant was approved.

The sponsorship was agreed in principle at a meeting on Monday as City of Sydney authorised free rent in two publicly owned properties for Australian Marriage Equality (AME), extending a deal ­started last year.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore.

Artist Janet Laurence at her studio.

AME is co-chaired by Ms Moore’s ally Sydney MP Alex Greenwich, who ran for her political party and donated $2850 in 2012. Ms Moore and Mr Greenwich denied any wrongdoing last week, saying AME followed “all the necessary  procedures  to  apply     for ­­­in-kind support”.

Last year City of Sydney spent $80,000 on an exhibition by artist Janet Laurence.

Ms Laurence is on City of Sydney’s public arts advisory panel. She disclosed the potential conflict of interest in her application for the funding.

Members of Ms Moore’s party declared non-pecuniary interests at Monday’s meeting, indicating a potential conflict of interest.

Because the potential conflict was deemed “less than significant”, Ms Moore’s councillors voted on the grant — something political rivals have taken issue with.

“It is the public perception of the conflict of interest that ultimately matters,” independent councillor Angela Vithoulkas said.

An SCA spokesman said Ms Lezer played “no direct role” in securing the funding.