Auburn deputy mayor Salim Mehajer re-elected after split vote led to ‘lucky dip’

“GOD has forsaken Auburn.” Those are the words of one of Salim Mehajer’s colleagues, after the flashy deputy mayor won back his job amid angry scenes.

GOD has forsaken the humble Western Sydney Council of Auburn after its controversial deputy mayor Salim Mehajer was re-elected, according to one of his most outspoken critics on council.

Cr Mehajer and Labor councillor George Campbell both received four votes each on the 10 person council, with two councillors abstaining from voting tonight.

The tie led to a lucky dip deciding the vote drawn out by the council’s general manager Mark Brisby.

Cr Campbell said the community had been forgotten.

“God has forsaken Auburn. Auburn Councillors have stuck their fingers up at the community.

“Councillors have demonstrated to the community that they haven’t got the message,” he said.

The re-election of Mr Mehajer was “saying we haven’t heard you and we don’t give a stuff,” Cr Campbell said.

Incumbent mayor Ronney Oueik stood down from his position with Liberal Le Lam taking the top job — also via lucky dip — over Semra Batik-Dundar.

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Labor councillor and disgraced former mayor Hicham Zraika voted for the mayor then abandoned his colleague Cr Campbell’s campaign for deputy by abstaining from voting along with Steve Yang.

Salim Mehajer leaves a meeting of Auburn City Council earlier this month. Picture: Craig Greenhill

Salim Mehajer supporters outside the meeting of Auburn City Council holds extraordinary meeting to discuss a motion to ask Mr Mehajer to resign earlier this year. Picture Craig Greenhill

Cr Campbell said Cr Zraika’s actions were a breach of Labor Party rules.

“The office of local government might have something to say about someone who flees the scene midway through a vote,” he said.

Independent Councillor Irene Simms said Mr Mehajer’s re-election had sealed the council’s fate with amalgamations looming.

“I just can’t believe they had the audacity to re-elect him,” she said.

She said her colleagues who voted for Mr Mehajer had a “death wish” for Auburn Council.

Auburn deputy mayor Salim Mehajer’s lavish wedding in Lidcombe closed off Frances St and angered locals. picture: Toby Zerna

The flashy property developer cum representative of the people arrived in a white Porsche and did not comment after the meeting.

Cr Mehajer is due in court next week after the NSW Government accused him of voting on at least three developments without declaring his own interests, Channel 9 reported.

Salim Mehajer had a fleet of luxury sports cars at the wedding. Picture: Toby Zerna

The 29-year-old made headlines last month when he and his bride Aysha closed down their Lidcombe Street to hold a lavish wedding that involved a fleet of expensive sports cars, helicopters and even a sea plane.

Cr Mehajer had gained council permission to close part of the street for a few hours to film his extravagant nuptials but police had to close the street because it had been consumed the ceremony.

Auburn Council fined him $220 for breaching the permission he had been given but stopped any moves by councillors Campbell and Simms to take the matter to the Local Government Minister.

Salim with his groomsmen and the helicopters in the background on Phillips Park. Picture: Toby Zerna

Originally published as Auburn deputy mayor Salim Mehajer re-elected after split vote led to ‘lucky dip’