Mandla jumps ship to Sydney Matters

BY CHRISTOPHER HARRIS

Former Liberal Councillor Edward Mandla has slammed former colleague Christine Forster as not being a team player, and said that partnering with Sydney Matters party Angela Vithoulkas as a natural fit.

Speaking to City Hub, Clr Mandla described defecting from the Liberal Party as like an epiphany whilst in conversation with Clr Vithoulkas.

Mr Mandla sought out a phone conversation with Ms Vithoulkas just prior to last month’s council meeting because he was seeking a seconder for what has since been labelled Mandla’s menstrual motion.

Clr Foster had told Clr Mandla that she would not be seconding his motion.

He said that during the conversation with Clr Vithoulkas he was “quietly envious not to be beholden to anyone, to do what you think is right for the community”.

A long silence ensued on the telephone line.

It was a moment of great revelation for both of them.

As Clr Mandla recalls, Clr Vithoulkas said: “Imagine what we could do for Sydney if we ran together…  I can’t believe I said that.”

Mandla said since serving as councillor, that he has had to deal with factions.

He said his defection was a whirlwind that happened very quickly.

“There is the cliché that 24 hours is a long time in politics. Well, I have lived that now.”

So far, Mandla says his experience with Sydney Matters has been extraordinarily positive.

He said City residents and business owners should expect fresh independent voices.

“It’s going to be forward thinking, embracing tech, public private partnerships might happen, addressing parking, waste, and a specific focus on nighttime economy. Forward thinking backed by tech is what you’re going to see.”

Clr Mandla is the candidate for the Sydney Matter’s deputy Lord Mayor position.

“Over the past four years Edward Mandla has shown that he wants to see real action for the City of Sydney residents, business owners, workers and visitors,” Clr Vithoulkas said in a statement last week.

“Like all the Sydney Matters team he shares a conviction for making the City safer, smarter and easier to deal with by giving the community more access to council decision-making.

“In his term as a councillor, he has been an advocate for the City of Sydney to be completely transparent and has held it to account in decisions such as tender processes and emphasising that the business case stacks up on council policy and expenditure.”

“He has also shown that while a member of the party he was an independent thinking person who did not buckle to party members in his pursuit for delivering better outcomes for the City.

“I believe Edward will be a positive addition to the experience of the team that spans business, planning, education, law and technology innovation and personal experience of living and working in this city.”