Melbourne lord mayor election date announced after Robert Doyle resignation

ONE of the most popular candidates to replace Robert Doyle as lord mayor has announced they will not be running.

PROMINENT Melbourne businesswoman and philanthropist Susan Alberti today ruled herself out of the lord mayor race.

The current Melburnian of the Year said many people had encouraged her to run for the top job at Town Hall but said she had many other commitments.

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“I have a lot that I want to achieve in 2018 including a continued focus on women in sport and medical research, which would not have been able to receive my full attention if I ran for the position of Lord Mayor,’’ Ms Alberti said.

“The role is a very important one. It not only provides leadership for our city, but also impacts on thousands of ratepayers, staff and other stakeholders who live, work, visit or own a business in the City of Melbourne.”

Ms Alberti wished Robert Doyle well in his recovery.

A poll to elect a new lord mayor for Melbourne will be held on Saturday May 12.

Robert Doyle quit as Lord Mayor earlier this month. Picture: AAP/Julian Smith

Acting Local Government Minister Martin Pakula yesterday issued a statement saying that under municipal laws he is required to set the date for the Victorian Electoral Commission to conduct a by-election.

The by-election was triggered following the resignation of Cr Doyle earlier this month amid an investigation into sexual harassment claims made by former councillor Tessa Sullivan. Mr Doyle has proclaimed his innocence.

Acting lord mayor Arron Wood said he had still not decided if he would nominate for the top job.

“It was good for the city, the organisation and most importantly voters to have the certainty of the election date,’’ Cr Wood said.

“I look forward to a strong field of candidates with a passion for Melbourne and the skills to take on leadership of the World’s Most Liveable City.’’

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Former federal MP Phil Cleary, who ran in 2016 on a ticket opposing the Queen Victoria Market redevelopment, said he would decide next week whether to run again.

The Greens are expected to make a strong showing in the city poll, given the party has won both the state and federal seats of Melbourne. No Greens mayoral candidate has been named yet.

Olivia Ball contested the 2016 election for the Greens, winning 21.3 per cent of the first-preference votes behind Robert Doyle’s 44.6 per cent result.

Other possible candidates for the lord mayoral role include Moreland councillor Oscar Yildiz, state Property Council CEO Sally Capp, state Labor MP Jane Garrett, pollster Gary Morgan and Crown Casino executive Ann Peacock.

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Mr Morgan, who has ran against Mr Doyle three times, said it was vital to make the council more accountable to residents and businesses.

“We need to change the culture of the council,” he said.

In the 2016 mayoral election, just 55 per cent of the 133,800 enrolled electors cast their vote.

Cr Wood urged voters to have their say in how their city was run.

“I understand it’s a bit of a hassle for residents and businesses to have to go through another vote so soon, but please don’t give up your democratic right to elect such an important position for our city,’’ Cr Wood said.

“A strong voter turnout is really important.’’

The Victorian Electoral Commission has confirmed that the poll will be conducted entirely by postal voting, with ballot packs mailed to voters between Monday 23 April and Thursday 26 April.

Voter enrolment will close on March 16 at 4pm and nominations will open on April 5 and close at noon on April 10.

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