Sutherland Sutherland Shire Mayor Carmelo Pesce dropped from Liberal election ticket

Sutherland Shire Mayor Carmelo Pesce has lashed out at a senior Liberal Party member after he was dropped from the party ticket before the upcoming council election, with claims the Shire has been “torn apart” by the decision.

Sutherland Shire mayor Carmelo Pesce and deputy mayor Carol Provan will now run as independents after being dumped by the Liberal Party. Picture: Supplied

Sutherland Shire Mayor Carmelo Pesce has lashed out at a senior Liberal Party member after he was dumped from the party ticket ahead of local government elections.

Mr Pesce has resigned from the party and will now run as an independent.

It comes after the NSW Liberal Party state executive held a vote on Wednesday to select possible candidates for the upcoming September 14 election which did not include the sitting mayor or deputy mayor Carol Provan, who was also dropped from the ticket.

Mr Pesce said party president and former MP Don Harwin made the decision in favour of his own “Captain’s call”.

However, there have been conflicting reports of the “consensus” to oust Mr Pesce, who is currently serving his third term as mayor of Sutherland Shire Council.

“I can’t blame the party, because the party has given me so much,” Mr Pesce said.

“I just blame one individual.”

Carmelo Pesce has been Sutherland Shire Council mayor for eight years. Picture: Facebook

Twelve people voted in favour of the ticket put forward by Mr Harwin, nine voted against, five abstained, and one person did not respond.

Despite securing a majority, Mr Pesce said the decision had “torn the Shire apart”.

“It’s a disgrace what he’s done and it’s upset a lot of local branch members. I’ve been told there will be a mass exodus of (Liberal Party) membership here in the Shire,” he said.

“I did a count yesterday of people that have called me and we’re talking anywhere from 50 to 70 people at a minimum that are going to resign from the party because of this.

“You’ve just torn the Shire apart. This is not me being a sore loser. This is what our members are saying in the area.”

Mr Pesce said in the days since the vote, Mr Harwin had contacted him and offered him dispensation if he were to run with Ms Provan as independents – given they preference their former party.

The ticket put forward by Don Harwin received a 12-9 majority vote on Wednesday. Picture Dylan Coker

The olive branch was reportedly extended after Opposition Leader Mark Speakman sent a scathing letter to Mr Harwin and state director Richard Shields on the night of the vote.

According to the leaked letter, Mr Speakman claimed the vote took place “in the absence of any attempt at a democratic local preselection” and asked for both councillors to receive “immediate blanket dispensation” to “allow any Liberal Party member to assist either or both in the course of the forthcoming election”.

But despite Mr Speakman’s efforts, Mr Pesce said the line had been drawn.

“If I’m not good enough to be on the Liberal ticket, I’m not good enough to support the Liberal team either,” he said.

“I will choose who I support. I’m not going to be dictated to by one guy because maybe now he feels guilty that he’s made the wrong decision.

Opposition Leader Mark Speakman claimed the vote took place “in the absence of any attempt at a democratic local preselection”. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

“He only got in as the president of the party by one vote … and I’m embarrassed to say that I played a role in electing him as President.”

Mr Pesce said his attention has now turned towards running an independent campaign alongside Ms Provan in their respective wards.

Mrs Provan, who is also a former mayor and council member of more than 24 years, was unavailable for comment at the time of publication.

The St George Shire Standard approached the NSW Liberal Party for comment and the party politely declined, citing party rules.