Calls for Donna Davis to give up mayoral role if elected Parramatta state MP

A former Parramatta Lord Mayor has called on the incumbent mayor to step down from the top job if she was elected an MP and said the dual role and hefty income would fail the ‘pub test’.

Former Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer has criticised Donna Davis’ intentions to continue being the mayor and state MP. Picture: Monique Harmer

Growing calls have been made for Donna Davis to step down as mayor in the likely event the high-profile Labor candidate is elected Parramatta’s state MP on March 25.

Former Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer, who helmed the chamber from 2019 to 2021, said Cr Davis’ income could exceed $300,000 if she was elected an MP and continued her role as Lord Mayor.

“I’m not too sure this will meet the public’s pub test,’’ Mr Dwyer said.

He expressed concerns voters would not be served properly if Cr Davis was to juggle time between Parramatta and parliament.

“The city of Parramatta is the second largest CBD in Sydney and, with its growth and current importance, the role of Lord Mayor of the city is a full time job,’’ he said.

Parramatta Lord Mayor Donna Davis is also the Labor candidate for the seat of Parramatta.

“The role of state member for Parramatta is also a full time job and our city expects and deserves a separate state member and Lord Mayor who are each devoted to the separate duties and responsibilities of each of these specific roles.’’

Cr Dwyer suggested she was being “greedy in seeking to hold both leadership positions”.

“This is not the attitude that residents expect from a person who is the leader of the city of Parramatta and, more particularly, from someone who is putting her hand up to be the new state member for Parramatta.’’

Despite previous councillors becoming MPs, Mr Dwyer said Cr Davis’ role as mayor was different because it carried greater daily responsibilities compared with a part-time councillor.

The Winston Hills ratepayer called on Cr Davis to follow in Ryde Mayor Jordan Lane’s footsteps after he stood down from the top job in December when he confirmed his state candidacy.

“It is not the situation that there are not capable current councillors available to take over the role of Lord Mayor should Cr Davis be elected to state parliament,’’ Mr Dwyer said.

Veteran Independent councillor and former Lord Mayor Lorraine Wearne echoed the concerns and said Cr Davis should be entitled to serve as a councillor until the next local government election in September 2024 but should vacate the role as mayor.

“I actually think it’s very difficult to do both jobs,’’ she said.

“There are conflicting things you have to do and conflicting decisions you have to make.

“You might be able to get away with being a mayor and state MP on a smaller council but Parramatta’s a very busy council.’’

The council could be in for more of a shake-up if Deputy Lord Mayor Sameer Pandey is elected as the Winston Hills state MP. The Labor hopeful is running against sitting Liberal MP Mark Taylor.

Parramatta Lord Mayor Donna Davis and Deputy Lord Mayor Sameer Pandey in January 2022.

“Who is putting first and foremost the issues of the city of Parramatta,’’ Cr Wearne said.

“They’ll argue it’s the same but I’m not convinced about that.’’

Cr Sameer said he would consider stepping down from being the Deputy Mayor if he became an MP and the workload became too much.

Labor councillor Pierre Esber declined to weigh in on the issue but said it was Cr Davis’ decision to make.

“If she can manage both jobs, that’s fine,’’ he said.

Cr Davis, who is running against low-profile Liberal candidate Katie Mullens, said she would make a decision after the poll.

“This election will be close and there are still 16 days to go,’’ she said.

“Any decisions about my future will be made after the election on March 25.’’

Cr Davis said she had taken steps to ensure she would not take extra pay, car or associated entitlements with being the Lord Mayor.