The City of Parramatta has elected a Liberal Councillor as its new Lord Mayor and a Labor Councillor as the Deputy Lord Mayor.
At the first meeting, the newly elected Parramatta Council came together for the first time to vote for the office of Lord Mayor.
Only two candidates were nominated for the role – long-time Labor Councillor Patricia Prociv and returning Liberal Councillor Martin Zaiter.
It was always going to be a tight vote with six Liberal and six Labor Councillors in the Chamber.
Ultimately, the power fell to the Independents, with Charles Chen, of the Lorraine Wearne Independents, and Kellie Darley of the Community Champions voting for Zaiter. Judith Greenwood of the Greens voted for Prociv.
Zaiter thanked the Councillors who supported him.
“It is truly a real honour and I am extremely humbled to be elected into this position, one that I promise not to take lightly,” he said.
He finished his speech with a promise to all residents and business owners in the Parramatta Local Government Area.
“I commit to deliver not only for our CBD but also for our suburbs,” he added.
“I also commit to ensure that we have a cohesive and united Chamber.”
Similarly, the fight for the position of Deputy Lord Mayor came back down to the two major parties – Labor’s Cameron Maclean and the Liberals Steven Issa.
Maclean managed to get across the line thanks to the support of his Labor colleagues, Greenwood and Darley. It will be his second time elected as Deputy Lord Mayor.
Maclean said he looks forward to working with Zaiter in the role.
“I accept the position of Deputy Lord Mayor of Parramatta with great humility and I look to do my best in the role and I’m excited,” he said.
“While it is the case that some of you may be amused, that Lord Mayor Zaiter and I seem like an odd couple, I’m quite sure that we will find common ground.”
Zaiter will hold the Lord Mayor position until September 2026, while Maclean will be Deputy Lord Mayor until September 2025.
Annahar Australia wishes the new Lord Mayor of the City of Parramatta Martin Zaite, the Deputy Lord Mayor and all of the Councilors the best of success.