Sam Newman considers running for Melbourne lord mayor

FOOTY legend Sam Newman is again thinking about a run for Town Hall after Robert Doyle stepped down as lord mayor. But before putting up his hand for the role, he’d have a special request. TAKE THE POLL

SAM Newman is considering a run for lord mayor on a platform of cleaning up the streets and fighting minority group agendas.

But the controversial The Footy Show star would first seek to clear the air over any potential misconduct allegations that might be made against him.

“The first thing I’d do is invite anyone out there who thinks that I might have been part of some sexual harassment over my career to come forward before we embark on any public office,” he told the Herald Sun.

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Sam Newman is considering a run for lord mayor. Picture: Colleen Petch

The Footy Show star Sam Newman at his Docklands home. Picture: Colleen Petch

The former footy star says he would provide an alternative to political correctness. Pic: Michael Klein

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“I’d be absolutely certain that no one would come forward.”

Newman toyed with running at the 2016 council election but didn’t; however, he’s now interested again after the resignation of Robert Doyle.

Mr Doyle is in hospital with a serious illness amid an investigation by the City of Melbourne into sexual harassment claims against him by former councillor Tessa Sullivan and Greens councillor Cathy Oke.

Mr Doyle has rejected the claims.

Former lord mayor Robert Doyle resigned seven weeks after the initial allegations came to light. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Sam Newman expressed his sympathy for Robert Doyle.

Meanwhile Premier Daniel Andrews has promised if local government laws are “deficient” in tackling complaints of sexual abuse and bullying Labor will reform them.

The pledge was made on ABC radio where the state leader discussed several issues including the latest scandal to hit the Melbourne City Council.

Mr Andrews said he was waiting to see the report on Mr Doyle saying “these are very serious matters” and revealed he had not texted or spoken with Mr Doyle.
Newman said he felt sorry for the former lord mayor, but added that if the allegations against him were substantiated, then “no one condones what Robert Doyle has been accused of”.

The Geelong Cats legend and admirer of Donald Trump said he was considering a tilt at Town Hall if only to provide an alternative to politically correct agendas.

“We get bogged down with delusional psychotic anarchists who push all sorts of agendas because they have a point to plead and usually the general interest of the community is thrown under the bus,” he said.

“I’m sure that the majority of people are worried about the homeless in the CBD, the graffiti, (and councils) using motorists as a tool to balance the budget.”

Among other declared and potential lord mayoral candidates are Acting Lord Mayor Arron Wood, pollster Gary Morgan, Property Council state chief Sally Capp, former state Labor MP Jane Garrett, Crown Casino executive Ann Peacock, businesswoman Susan Alberti and former federal MP Phil Cleary.

Cr Wood on Monday said he was still deciding, but confirmed he would not be attending a council business trip to Asia next month which might potentially clash with the lord mayoral election campaign.

Team Doyle councillor Susan Riley will take the place of Mr Doyle on the $36,758 business mission to China and Japan, with councillors Kevin Louey and Philip Le Liu also expected to go.

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Acting Lord Mayor Arron Wood is yet to reveal if he will run for the role. Picture: Nicole Cleary

Mr Wood said if he ran it would be “about what’s good for the city, it can’t just be about what’s good for the individuals”.

“There’s a lot more thinking for me to do (but) it’s nice to see there’s a really strong calibre of female candidates coming out and I really hope there’s a really strong field that vies for it, it’s the world’s most liveable city and arguably one of the best jobs in the world,” he said.

The investigation into the Doyle claims by top silk Ian Freckelton has not been finalised pending the former lord mayor’s illness, and it is still unclear if the report will be made public.

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