Candidates sprint for the finish in Perth Mayoral race

After months of campaigning, the race for the Mayor of the City of Perth is coming to a close this weekend and there are still hundreds of potential votes to come in.

The City of Perth council has seen plenty of controversy in recent years and whomever takes up the role will have a long road ahead of them to restore stability and trust to the role.

But who are the candidates vying for the coveted City seat? If you are still uncertain of where to place your vote this City election, we sent questions to each of the Mayoral candidates to find where their bearings point and what that could mean for Perth!

Candidates Mark Gibson, Basil Zempilas, Di Bain and Bruce Reynolds were contacted for comment but did not reply by deadline.

Brodie McCulloch

Why do you want to be Mayor of Perth and what do you bring to the role?

Perth is in the fastest-growing region in the world, we have an amazing environment and solid base industries what are once again proving invaluable through global disruptions. With all of this opportunity, we haven't yet delivered on a City and an experience that positions Perth for the future.

This is why I am excited about the role of Lord Mayor, it is an opportunity to take everything that is already great in Perth and make it better while addressing some of the immediate issues including homelessness, safety and security and COVID-19 recovery.

I founded Spacecubed in 2012 and it has grown and supported thousands of entrepreneurs, small businesses, and community organisations and now employs over 20 people. I have first-hand experience of what it takes to build a business in Perth through a 6-year downturn and lead it through Covid-19.  

Spacecubed is now in a really strong position, with a supportive culture across both the team and the community it supports. This has given me the space to step out, and look at how I can continue to grow my impact in Perth, in a dedicated, full-time way.

After a rough period for the City of Perth council and management, how do you plan to bring stability to the city and rebuild the trust of the community?

The 2000 page Inquiry into the City of Perth report, provides 341 recommendations for how to improve the leadership, governance and processes at the City to ensure that Perth has a strong and well-functioning local democracy which serves in the best interests of the whole community.

The Lord Mayor who undertakes this challenge will require a clear vision, demonstrated leadership skills, strong governance credentials and an ability to bring people together collaboratively to deliver results.

This is an enormous undertaking. While working through implementing the recommendations, the Lord Mayor, councillors and executive will also need to address the short term challenges that are presented by COVID-19 while delivering on a vision which sets up Perth for the future.

Culture for me is key and without establishing a positive and customer-focused culture at the City of Perth all the good ideas in the world will not be delivered in an efficient and generative way. 

With my extensive governance experience and having built a culture from the ground up these are the skills required to rebuild trust across the Council, CEO, Executive, Administration and Community. 

What makes you passionate about this city?

Having travelled and worked all over the world I moved back to Perth in 2010 and after two weeks of exploring opportunities decided it was the ideal place to stay, a growing population, lots of activity and a belief that you could get things done here. 

Perth has provided me with great opportunities and has enabled me to build a business that is in turn providing opportunities and support to others. I am passionate about creating environments of support where everyone can thrive and through this role, I believe Perth can lead the field in the space and be an example globally. 

As the pandemic has heavily impacted the running of events around the metro area, what would you get behind to revitalize Perth's cultural scene?

The pandemic has been devastating to the events industry, Spacecubed operates a number of events spaces and to watch not just bookings end but everything that was booked be cancelled in March was very hard. We were lucky because it wasn't our only source of income however for many organisations events is their whole business and we are still not seeing the levels of events we have seen prior to COVID-19. 

Activation of the city we have is one of my key policies, this is through reducing approval times and removing red tape and the costs prohibiting events in Perth. Diversity of activity is going to be important and the City of Perth need to support the events, arts and community sectors to deliver activities and activation across the city while things are quiet because of COVID-19. 

Tim Schwass

Why do you want to be Mayor of Perth and what do you bring to the role?

My purpose in being mayor is to restore trust in the council.

Perth needs leadership and good governance. That’s what the $7.2 million dollar Inquiry found. That’s what I bring. My legal background, including 30 years as a magistrate, gives me the training and experience to provide leadership and good governance.

After a rough period for the City of Perth council and management, how do you plan to bring stability to the city and rebuild the trust of the community?

I will bring stability and restore community trust by applying good governance. There will be community consultation and transparency in decision making. I am truly independent and have absolutely no conflicts.

What makes you passionate about this city?

My passion has been inflamed by the unacceptable actions of the previous mayor and some councillors.

As the pandemic has heavily impacted the running of events around the metro area, what would you get behind to revitalize Perth's cultural scene?

I will do everything possible to revitalise Perth’s cultural scene. Michael Boyd capitalising on all the international performers being home in Perth for his Cabaret de Paris at Crown is magnificent. The East Perth Community Group organising local events with professional singers and musicians is equally magnificent. We need to entertain ourselves with the hard border in place and can easily do so using our abundant talent. Fringe and the Perth Festival will proceed using local talent and will receive every encouragement.

Sandy Anghie

Why do you want to be Mayor of Perth and what do you bring to the role?

Having studied and worked in the City of Perth since 1992, I love this place and am committed to it.

We need to work together as a community to bring our City back to life, and I'm the one with the vision, skills and experience to lead the charge on this - as Perth's new Lord Mayor.

With 25 years professional experience as an architect, lawyer and accountant, serving on not-for-profit boards for a decade, and dedicating the past four years to revitalising the City, I have a proven track record in governance and community leadership.

Importantly, I'm truly independent — no City property dealings; a self-funded campaign without donations; not part of a ticket; and an authentic vision based on hands-on experience, not political advice.

After a rough period for the City of Perth council and management, how do you plan to bring stability to the city and rebuild the trust of the community?

The City of Perth needs to earn back the trust of the community, and this begins with good governance. Enthusiasm, ideas and commitment are commendable, but it is not enough. 

The City of Perth needs a leader with credentials and a proven governance track record. Someone you can trust in the areas of transparency, disclosure and public accountability. Someone who understands and respects process and legal requirements.  

My career has provided a unique platform and a solid foundation to run for Lord Mayor, and to lead a new era at the City of Perth defined by good governance and best practice. 

What makes you passionate about this city?

While there is no doubt there are some things we could do much better, Perth is a great city and we need to start talking Perth up.

Research for the Committee for Perth’s Hashtag Perth project found that we have been reluctant to promote Perth to others – and that for Perth to grow and flourish, more people need to know that Perth exists as an alternative to big, crowded, polluted and expensive cities. Our City is different. But this is good. 

I would be focussed on bringing everyone together with the common vision of celebrating our City, with it's unique natural beauty, and encouraging our residents and business leaders to talk positively about Perth.

As the pandemic has heavily impacted the running of events around the metro area, what would you get behind to revitalize Perth's cultural scene?

There are so many great arts and cultural organisations in Perth and the City needs to provide better support through funding assistance. As Lord Mayor, I would seek to fund other organisations to deliver some programs currently delivered by the City, where the cultural outcome and benefits would be better for this approach.  

For example, what if the City of Perth funded the Fringe Festival or the Perth Festival to deliver a winter and / or spring festival program, rather than the City doing it itself? What if the City funded the Barking Gecko Theatre to deliver a school holiday program for children? What if the City of Perth provided greater support to community groups to help create livelier streets? 

For more information on the City of Perth Mayoral race, the candidates, how to vote and when visit the City of Perth electoral website.