NSW council elections 2024: New Blacktown mayor, deputy mayor selected at extraordinary meeting

Blacktown’s newly elected councillors have selected a mayor and deputy at a meeting that featured emotional speeches from the area’s first Pasifika and Greens councillors.

Deputy mayor Bob Fitzgerald (left) and Mayor Brad Bunting (right) Picture: Blacktown Council

Blacktown Council has officially elected a mayor and deputy at a meeting that featured a number of emotional speeches, including addresses from the area’s first Pasifika and Greens councillors.

The first extraordinary meeting of the new term drew high numbers of onlookers into the council chambers’ public gallery on Wednesday night, with some spectators forced to stand in doorways, as councillors voted to elect their new mayor and deputy.

Labor’s Brad Bunting and Liberal Jess Diaz went head to head for the top job, but Mr Bunting secured the majority of councillors’ votes with nine out of 15.

In his speech, Mr Bunting said it was a “humble privilege” to be re-elected mayor, and thanked his family and supporters.

He acknowledged late mayor Tony Bleasdale, whose death in May led to Mr Bunting being elected to the top job before the election, and congratulated the newly sworn in councillors on their new positions.

Brad Bunting (right) has been re-elected Mayor of Blacktown City. Pictured here with late former Mayor Tony Bleasdale (left), who died in May. Mr Bunting paid tribute to Mr Bleasdale in his inaugural speech as Mayor on October 9.

He mentioned pushing for a Metro link from Tallawong Station to St Mary’s and Riverstone town centre.

Liberal councillor Peter Camilleri and Mr Bunting’s Labor running mate in the recent election, councillor Bob Fitzgerald, both put their hands up for the role of deputy.

Shortly before the vote, Mr Camilleri moved to have the councillors vote by secret ballot.

“The reason for secret ballot is because voting is private, although democracy is open,” he said.

“This is why, when we vote in state and federal elections, we do it in private, so there is no pressure or coercion on our votes and any unnecessary sway is relieved.”

Deputy mayor Bob Fitzgerald (left) and Mayor Brad Bunting (right) Picture: Blacktown Council

His motion was ultimately dismissed.

Mr Fitzgerald was elected deputy mayor with nine out of the 15 councillors’ votes.

He thanked his wife in his speech and spoke about his early life, when he lived in 27 rentals before moving to Blacktown and worked as a cleaner at the local police station.

“I will give 100 per cent and be fair,” he said.

The election of the Labor mayor and deputy mayor was followed by a round of emotionally charged speeches from the freshly sworn-in councillors, including Blacktown’s first Greens councillor, Damien Atkins, and first Pasifika councillor, Talia Amituani.

The newly sworn in Blacktown Councillors. Picture: Blacktown Council

Ms Amituani, a mother of 12 and grandmother of 28, said it was a “great, humbling experience” to have been elected for Ward 5.

“(I am) so grateful for the opportunity that I have to be the first member of the Pacific to enter the council of Blacktown,” she said.

“It is a great honour and a privilege.”

She then thanked her family and friends from the Cook Islands, who were supporting her in the public gallery.

Mr Atkins said he “still (couldn’t) believe” his achievement as the first Greens councillor in Blacktown.

He thanked his family, and said he would work hard for every resident in Ward 2.