Shayne Mallard faces campaign funding questions

Liberal councillor Shayne Mallard has been called on to stand down from the City of Sydney mayoral contest by a local heritage society over accusations of alleged corruption.

Andrew Woodhouse, President of the Potts Point & Kings Cross Heritage Conservation Society, said Mr Mallard did not declare a vested interest when he voted on a development application for the Empire Hotel in Kings Cross in 2004 and 2006 after he had allegedly received a sum of money from the owner of the hotel, Andrew Jolliffe.

“By voting on the DA in question, he breaches the public trust and taints the council DA process. He cannot hold himself out to be a Lord Mayoral candidate with these unresolved allegations hanging over him,” Mr Woodhouse said.

Mr Mallard has dismissed the allegations as ?old smears without substance?, saying that Mr Jolliffe did make a personal donation to the Liberal party before the 2003 State Election, but not for any Council elections.

?I was not elected to the City of Sydney until 2004 and no donations were made from any persons associated with the Empire Hotel,? Mr Mallard said.

The allegations have been referred to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).