Pressure grows for MP Donna Davis to step down as Parramatta Lord Mayor

Parramatta’s new MP is facing more pressure to step down as the Lord Mayor, a role councillors claim she ignored during her campaign to be a state politician. However, some councillors do not agree and a vote on the issue looms.

Parramatta’s new MP is facing more pressure to step down as the Lord Mayor, a role councillors claim she delegated during her campaign to be a state politician.

A vote on the issue looms, as some councillors disagree she should step down.

At least six of the 13 councillors are citing a conflict of interest and want the demanding position of Lord Mayor to go to someone who can dedicate more time to the role now Cr Davis is an MP.

At its April 11 meeting, Cr Lorraine Wearne’s motion will call for Cr Davis to resign as the mayor because the chamber does not support her helming the council “concurrently

with the position of an elected member of the State Government of NSW”.

However, four councillors are backing Cr Davis to retain both jobs at least until September when Parramatta Council votes for its mayor, while the remainder have not commented on how they will vote, leaving open the possibility the motion will not pass.

Independent Georgina Valjak has joined the growing chorus of councillors who criticised the dual role, which she labelled a conflict of interest.

Lorraine Wearne is critical of the mayor’s two jobs.

“During her recent campaign she delegated many of her Lord Mayoral duties such as attending events, workshops and briefings as she was too busy campaigning,’’ Cr Valjak said.

Cr Davis was approached for comment regarding the conflict of interest claims and delegating duties but did not respond.

Parliament resumes in May and the next mayoral election will be in September, suggesting Cr Davis could see out her mayoral duties for the next six months but continue as a councillor until September 2024 when the local government elections are held.

Until then, she is planning to stick around to assist the new chief executive Gail Connolly.

“I am humbled by the support I received at the election on Saturday,’’ Cr Davis said.

“It shows Parramatta wants a fresh approach – someone that puts people first.

“I will stay in the role of Lord Mayor to assist our newly appointed CEO with her orientation and to ensure a smooth transition for the delivery of services and projects for the people of Parramatta.’’

Cr Valjak said: “Our great city deserves a full time Lord Mayor, not a part time one who is also juggling a demanding full time MP role. Our residents deserve the Lord Mayor’s full attention.

“I have no problem with Donna staying on as a councillor. However, she should step down as Lord Mayor as other candidates have done in other councils – not doing so is disrespectful to the community that elected her.’’

Our Local Community councillor Michelle Garrard agreed.

“I’ve lost confidence in her ability to be mayor,’’ she said.

“She was not present during the campaign. I’m not saying she could not be a councillor. I’m expecting her resignation as a Lord Mayor.’’

Some critics say Parramatta Lord Mayor Donna Davis delegated her council responsibilities while she hit the hustings as the state Labor candidate.

Our Local Community Community’s Donna Wang, Henry Green and Dan Siviero also want the mayor to step down.

“I think it is impossible for one person to play two important roles at the same time,’’ Cr Wang said.

However, Independent Kellie Darley, Greens’ Phil Bradley, and Labor’s Patricia Prociv and Cameron Maclean, support Cr Davis.

Labor councillors Pierre Esber, Ange Humphries, Paul Noack and Sameer Pandey did not respond to questions about their stance on the mayor’s future.

Cr Bradley said Cr Davis was not getting the respect she deserved from all councillors.

“If she believes she can do both jobs that’s fine by me,’’ he said.

“It’s not like it’s setting a precedent. Steve Bali sat for a long time as mayor of Blacktown and state member. Donna would best know her workload ability.’’

Cr Prociv echoed the support. “She has been elected to serve as Lord Mayor until September, has shown herself to have worked tirelessly in the best interests of the city and there is no good reason why she should not complete her term,’’ she said.

Patricia Prociv was the only councillor to congratulate Donna Davis in the meeting following her election victory.

Cr Maclean supported Cr Davis’ decision “either way”.

“I’m confident she will make a decision in her own time and at the appropriate juncture as to whether she wishes to stay on till September or not,’’ he said.

“The paint hasn’t even dried on her election to state parliament yet.’’

Cr Darley defended Cr Davis: “People are trying to undermine her in the chamber and that’s disappointing.’’

During this week’s council meeting, fellow Labor councillor Patricia Prociv was the only one to congratulate Cr Davis following her victory on Saturday night.

Cr Siviero asked a state government-related question but the mayor could not respond because she was in her role as mayor.