Dr Kerryn Phelps won’t run against Clover Moore to be Sydney’s Lord Mayor
Dr Kerryn Phelps has cited a family illness as the reason she will no longer be standing against Clover Moore in September in the race for lord mayor.
NSW
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Dr Kerryn Phelps has withdrawn from the race to become Sydney`s Lord Mayor due to an illness in her family.
The former federal member for Wentworth said she is devastated by the decision to withdraw her nomination for Lord Mayor against political rival Clover Moore in the September election but her family are her first priority.
“I am sad to have to announce that I will not be nominating for the position of Lord Mayor for the City of Sydney in the September 2021 election,” she said on her Facebook page last night.
“I need to be present over the coming months to help manage a health issue for a close family member.
“I am devastated at the timing as I have been working towards this election for the past five years, but my priority must be my family.
“I am honoured and privileged to have worked on the City of Sydney Council as a true independent councillor, and will continue to do so until the completion of the term in September.
“I would like to express my profound gratitude to all of my campaign team, volunteers and supporters for your passion, commitment and understanding,” Dr Phelps said.
As part of her push for Lord Mayor, Dr Phelps flagged improving infrastructure, helping small businesses and reviving the night-time economy as priorities.
The high-profile GP said the council needed to plan and budget well and be strategic around spending, as the city recovers from the financial impacts of COVID-19.
When she announced she was running against Clover Moore in February Dr Phelps said it was time to bring in a new era after 17 years of the same leadership which has “grown stale”.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore is looking to win her fifth term this year, after the 2020 local government elections were postponed due to COVID-19.
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