Mayor coy on political links

Albany Mayor Dennis Wellington has bluntly refused to reveal his past or current affiliations with political parties despite the majority of other councillors willing to comment.

TheAlbany Advertiser canvassed councillors on their political party affiliations in light of two current councillors running for the seat of Albany in next year’s state election in deputy mayor and Liberal candidate Greg Stocks and Nationals candidate Robbie Sutton.

In a brief phone call with theAdvertiser , Mr Wellington said it was “not anyone’s business” if he was a member of any political party and it was a “disgrace” that he was asked, before he hung up.

Mr Wellington was on the Liberal Party Legislative Council ticket in the 2008 State election, but was unsuccessful in winning a seat.

There is no Department of Local Government or WA Local Government Association policy that disallows councillors from being members of political parties.

Albany MLA Peter Watson, who will face off against Cr Stocks and Cr Sutton in the March State poll, said he did not consider political party membership as a conflict of interest for councillors.

Both Cr Stocks and Cr Sutton agreed their candidacy would not affect their position on council and said the council was a-political.

Mr Sutton said it could be a positive influence.

“We see the needs and the wants of council as a whole and we are aware of what funding shortfalls are and what is neglected or needed,” he said.

“At the end of day, you have to have some political knowledge to access funds.”

While Cr Janelle Price and Nicollette Mulcahy were former Liberal members but resigned from the party on becoming councillors.

Cr and former mayor Alison Goode stands with Crs Mulcahy and Price who believe councillors should not be political members.

“Local government in WA is about the only local government that is suppose to be totally non-party political,” Cr Goode said.

Cr Mulcahy said she ceased her membership with the Liberals on becoming a councillor in 2007.

Cr Ray Hammond was a member of the Australian Democrats during the 1980s.

Crs Anthony Moir and John Shanhun said they have had no political affiliation while Crs Bill Hollingworth and Carolyn Dowling did not return calls at time of print. Cr Sandie Smith did not comment.