Former North Sydney Mayor Ted Mack dies at 84 after cancer
POLITICAL legend Ted Mack has died at 84 after cancer and a stroke. Tributes have flowed in for the man who was dubbed the father of the independents.
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THE lower north shore is mourning the loss of political legend Ted Mack.
Mr Mack was diagnosed with brain and lung cancer two years ago and died this morning after suffering a stroke last week. He was 84.
Tributes have poured in from across the political spectrum for the man who was known as the father of the independents.
“Ted Mack holds legendary status here on the lower north shore,” North Sydney Mayor Jilly Gibson said.
“He was committed to reducing wasteful expenditure and improving urban planning.
“His loss is one that will be felt far and wide, and Council would like to express our sincere condolences to the entire Mack family.”
Mr Mack was a North Sydney councillor for 14 years, holding the position of Mayor for eight years during the eighties.
He also held the state seat of North Shore and moved on to federal parliament, holding the seat of North Sydney from 1990 to 1996. He retired from federal parliament before he was due to receive his parliamentary pension.
Australian ambassador to the US Joe Hockey was very sad to learn of the passing of Mr Mack, who was his predecessor as the member for North Sydney.
“He was a decent and honourable man who redefined politics on the lower north shore,” he tweeted.
“A legend has passed.”
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said Mr Mack was one of her mentors and paid
tribute to his legacy.
“He was a great mayor, a great state member, he was a great federal member and
that’s a great loss,” Cr Moore said.
Mr Mack kept a keen eye on political issues in the area right to the end.
In September he slammed the motorways, tunnels and smoke stacks planned for the lower north shore.
“No city in the world is relying to such an extent on private roads and motorways,” he said. “It’s impractical; you just can’t move the same number of people. The whole bloody lot should be put into public transport.”