Stamolis yet to decide his loyalties

The man who ensured four straight years of Greens control at Leichhardt Council has not committed his loyalties past September’s 2012 local
government elections.

Leichhardt independent, John Stamolis sided with the six Greens members elected in 2008, ensuring the party maintained the majority
among the 12 sitting Councillors.

Headed by Mayor Rochelle Porteous, the Greens have maintained a four year stronghold using Mr Stamolis’ casting vote. Mr Stamolis said: “You can treat me as though I’m the ‘X’ party. I’m a separate political entity and I have my own priorities.

“I need to look at what the community is saying. If Labor gets 51 per cent of the vote, then I would have to seriously consider what the community is saying. If Liberal gets 51 per cent of the vote, I’m going to have to again look at that.”

The Greens experienced remarkable success in 2008, winning over 35 per cent of the vote in all four Leichhardt wards.

“Getting six councillors on Council for the Greens in the 2008 election was quite a stunning result in anyone’s book. I think there’s a lot of work for them to do in achieving that same outcome this time around.”

Leichhardt has traditionally been a progressive electorate that has seen party alliances develop. Mr Stamolis is worried about the consequences an ‘all party’ election result may have for the people of Leichhardt.

“I don’t think the community is in tune with this,” he said. “There is a big risk in this election that we will move to an all party Council. I would say that would be a disaster.

“I will be asking our community to keep an independent on Council.”

Labor Councillor, Darcy Byrne said his party had not yet discussed preferencing for this year’s election. He stressed the importance of ensuring no party had total control. Mr Byrne said: “I personally totally disagree with the juvenile approach that was taken by sections of the NSW right of our party over the last couple of weeks … talking about preferencing and putting the Greens last. We definitely won’t be doing that.”

Liberal and Labor formed a preference deal in 2004 to ensure the Greens did not take power in Leichhardt.

“I used to think as a young left-wing person, that everyone in the Liberal party was not a likeable person,” Mr Byrne said. “One of the things I’ve learnt on Council is that everyone who gets elected on Council is there with good intentions.”