Mayor works at Albo’s office

After Julia Gillard pledged $1 billion for the WestConnex Motorway, mounting concerns have developed over Leichhardt Mayor Darcy Byrne working a second job at Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese’s office.

Mr Byrne works three days as mayor and two days at Mr Albanese’s electorate, where he has been employed since 2010. Local residents informed the Inner West Independent of Mr Byrne’s involvement with Mr Albanese.

Mr Byrne has never outright opposed the WestConnex Motorway, despite strong recent criticism and the possibility homes in the Leichhardt municipality may be compulsory acquired.

But Mr Byrne denied there is a conflict of interest working for both the Transport Minister and as Leichhardt Mayor.

“As Mayor, I am only ever guided by one consideration: the best interests of local residents and the people of Sydney. This public interest test governs my approach to WestConnex and all other policy considerations,” he said.

“When the WestConnex was announced, I recruited mayors from across the inner west to demand the government establish a joint taskforce with councils, so that we could understand the implications for our communities.”

Mr Byrne was coy over questions from the Inner West Independent requesting an explaination what his second job with Mr Albanese involved. He was asked if he could oppose the WestConnex Motorway without jeopardising his second job.

Greens Councillor Rochelle Porteous believes Mr Byrne needs to be more vocal with the public about his second job.

“I believe to ensure transparency and to comply with Council’s Code of Conduct, all councillors should declare significant pecuniary interests and remove themselves from the vote when their employer has an interest in an item before Council. The mayor is not exempt from this,” she said.

Meanwhile, in the Liberal Party camp, Councillor Tony Constantino has been unable to be reached via email or phone call for the last 10 months. Numerous messages have been left over this period to reach Mr Constantino for comment.

Liberal Councillor John Jobling was asked to contact Mr Constantino to discuss his unavailability and disregard for accountability to the media. But Mr Jobling refused, arguing Mr Constantino is not at the media’s beck and call.