Steven Issa frontrunner to become Lord Mayor of Parramatta Council

Parramatta’s political dynasty is shaping up to continue when votes are soon cast for the Lord Mayor but opponents say it is ‘futile’ if the position is filled just for a mere few weeks.

The Issa family dynasty in Parramatta politics is shaping up to continue when votes are cast for the Lord Mayor on Monday but opponents say it is “futile” if the position is just for six weeks.

Steven Issa, the son of former Parramatta Lord Mayor and Granville MP Tony Issa, is the Liberal candidate for the top job to replace incumbent Bob Dwyer, who is hanging up the mayoral chains and retiring after the December 4 local government elections.

Whoever is voted in as mayor on Monday will only be there for a brief stint because the council will go into caretaker mode before the new chamber votes for the mayor after the local government elections.

Labor will select a candidate at the weekend but 22-year veteran Pierre Esber and rising star Donna Davis are their party’s hopefuls.

In August, the consensus among the council was to re-elect Cr Dwyer to see out the rest of the term instead of a new mayor serving for a disrupted six weeks.

“I would have liked the status quo run until December 4 because we go into caretaker mode on November 4 so it’s a futile exercise,’’ Cr Esber said.

Tony Issa at Merrylands in 2018. Picture: Angelo Velardo

Parramatta councillor Steven Issa is likely to become the Parramatta Lord Mayor, even it is until council elections in December. Picture: Facebook

Cr Davis echoed the criticism.

“The strong possibility that the Lord Mayor will change so close to the election and caretaker period is not good governance and the state government should have prevented this,’’ she said.

“The possible election of a new Lord Mayor, for just a handful of weeks, strengthens the argument for embracing a popularly elected Lord Mayor model.

It would have prevented this scenario.’’

Cr Issa, a public servant who works as a digital health officer for the federal government, did not comment when approached about running for mayor but indicated someone with a “vested interest’’ in preparing the council for next term would be ideal to run for the role.

It is understood Cr Issa, who has served on the council since 2012, has the support of Our Local Party councillor and Deputy Lord Mayor Michelle Garrard and Independent Lorraine Wearne, who described him as a “bright young man”.

Cr Wearne believes the Liberals want to have a new mayor next week instead of waiting until December after Cr Dwyer got his party off-side in August when he labelled the chamber dysfunctional and lashed out at “factional silliness”.

“Being the Lord Mayor on the streets is very enjoyable, despite Covid, but the chamber itself is a very difficult chamber, very factional,’’ he said at the time.

Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer has lashed out at the council. Picture: Angelo Velardo

“People want to play politics and I thought ‘this is not the time and I’ll leave it to the silly buggers’.’’

Cr Wearne was “at a loss why he did that”.

“I just think Bob made a mistake with the article,’’ she said.

“He just alienated too many people.

“It was hardly endearing himself to his Liberal councillors.

“I think what they’re saying is in light of that, ‘there’s no reason to keep you there’.

“It’s given councillors the opportunity to think about what someone else in the job might do in that six weeks.’’

The mayor said “nobody has spoken to me about the article’’.

“The decision who would be the Lord Mayor nominees from the Liberal Party is the decision of the Liberal Party caucus. I’ve done the role as required and it’s up to the chamber to decide who they want, bearing in mind there’s eight weeks to go four weeks is in caretaker mode.

“The pub test would say ‘Why would you want to change’ but the decision they want to change rests with caucus.’’

Tony Issa with Premier Gladys Berejiklian at Merrylands RSL Club on in February 2019. Picture: Julian Andrews

Liberal Andrew Jefferies said the mayor’s comments had nothing to do with choosing Cr Issa instead.

“He has been there for nine years, I’m sure he’s served his apprenticeship and he will be a capable Lord Mayor,” he said.’

Cr Issa’s dad Tony served on Parramatta Council for a decade from 1988, was the deputy mayor in 2000 for a year before gaining the top job from September 2008 to 2009.

He was the Granville state Liberal MP from 2011 to 2015 and unsuccessfully ran for the seat in the 2019 State Election. The 66-year-old has been ill after being diagnosed with brain cancer.

Cr Wearne said: “His father Tony Issa was the Lord Mayor and I think Steve might have the view that it would be a nice thing for his dad if he could achieve that.

“I think he can achieve something because we’re all over Bob’s style,” she said.

MORE NEWS

McSweeney family: Paramedic, nurses, police officer on Covid frontline

Tuakoi Maamaloa accused of armed robberies at Granville, South Granville service stations