Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Sally Capp sworn in
Melbourne’s new Lord Mayor Sally Capp has officially taken the top job, three months after Robert Doyle quit amid sexual harassment allegations.
Sally Capp has been sworn in as Melbourne’s first directly elected female Lord Mayor.
The former head of Victoria’s Property Council put on the ceremonial robes and gold chains in front of friends, family and fellow councillors.
“In many ways I’ve been preparing for this role all my life,” Ms Capp said in her first speech as Lord Mayor, flanked by husband Andrew and her sons.
“It’s an honour and a privilege to be the 104th Lord Mayor of Melbourne. I was elected ... as an independent and I’m really looking forward to bringing new leadership ... I can’t wait.”
One person she has not spoken to in recent days is her predecessor, Robert Doyle.
“No, I haven’t spoken Robert Doyle,” Ms Capp said today after the swearing-in.
Ms Capp was elected after Mr Doyle resigned following a raft of sexual harassment allegations which led to a independent inquiry.
Mr Doyle’s resignation also ignited debate around the trappings of the office such as a chauffeured car and three-course meals after council meetings.
The new Lord Mayor said she has not decided whether the car will go. “We’re still getting our heads around it,” she said. “I’ll be using all modes of transport.”
The day’s events started with a smoking ceremony on the Town hall portico before well-wishers and Ms Capp’s new colleagues headed into council chambers.
After she was sworn in, Ms Capp led all her fellow councillors in signing a new Councillors Code of Conduct written up after the recent sexual harassment scandal.
She is the first woman to take the position in about 30 years and the first woman directly elected to the post. Ms Capp nabbed 53.05 per cent of the total votes in the by-election, beating businesswoman Jennifer Yangs’s 46.95 per cent.
Deputy Lord Mayor Arron Wood, who has been acting council leader for nearly six months, said he was “thrilled” to be Ms Capp’s second-in-command. “I’m deputy Lord Mayor ... it feels so good to say that,” he told the crowds.
Ms Capp’s first official Council meeting will be next Tuesday.
She is the third woman to take the city’s top job with Lecki Ord holding office in 1987-88 and Winsome McCaughey in 1988-89.
Mr Doyle has denied the allegations levelled against him.
With AAP
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