Councillor Hicham Zraika expelled from Labor party over move that saw Salim Mehajer re-elected

AUBURN councillor Hicham Zraika was dismissed from the Labor party after he failed to vote for his colleague.

Salim Mehajer and wife Aysha leave Bankstown Court as the controversial figure pleaded guilty to driving without a licence.

An Auburn councillor was dismissed from the Labor party after he failed to vote for his colleague in a move that saw controversial deputy mayor Salim Mehaher re-elected.

Fairfax Media reports that the ALP Internal Appeals Tribunal expelled councillor Hicham Zraika for unworthy and disloyal conduct over the incident at the election in September.

Controversy has surrounded Salim Mehajer since he was thrust into the spotlight over his lavish August wedding.

Cr Zraika had agreed to support fellow Labor councillor George Campbell for the position of deputy mayor, and signed the nomination form, but left the council chamber before the vote, resulting in a tie.

Both had received four votes with Cr Zraika and another councllor abstaining from voting.

Mehajer’s name was then drawn out of a hat by the general manager Mark Brisby.

Councillor Salim Mehajer and Councillor Hicham Zraika (right) leave a meeting of Auburn City Council to discuss a motion to ask Salim Mehajer to resign. Picture Craig Greenhill

Cr Campbell slammed his colleague over the incident telling the Daily Telegraph Cr Zraika was in breach of ALP party rules.

He went further to say that “God has forsaken Auburn. Auburn Councillors have stuck their fingers up at the community” over the re-election of Mehajer.
“Councillors have demonstrated to the community that they haven’t got the message.”

Councillor George Campbell brought a charge of unworthy conduct on colleague Hicham Zraika. Picture Craig Greenhill

Cr Zraika responded to the comments with charge of unworthy conduct and bringing the party into disrepute.

Cr Campbell laid the same charge on Cr Zraika for failing to vote for him in the deputy mayor election

The ALP’s internal tribunal upheld the charge against Cr Zraika.

Salim Mehajer has repeatedly been in the spotlight ever since his lavish wedding in August. His political and business interests have been under intense scrutiny and he is currently involved in a number of legal proceedings related to him property development empire.

Salim Mehajer and wife Aysha leave Bankstown Court as the controversial figure pleaded guilty to driving without a licence.

Originally published as Councillor Hicham Zraika expelled from Labor party over move that saw Salim Mehajer re-elected