Clover’s candidates keep City guessing
Image: Catherine Lezer, Kerryn Phelps, Philip Thalis, Clover Moore, Jess Scully, Jess Miller and Robert Kok. Photo: Jacquie Manning (supplied).
BY CHRISTOPHER HARRIS
Only two Councillors from Clover Moore’s Independent Party will remain in the party following the September Council election.
The order of the ticket is yet to be announced, but new personalities that could be gracing the corridors of power include the former AMA President Kerryn Phelps and prominent architect, Philip Tallis.
Also on the list is Jess Miller, a sustainable living advocate originally from Victoria, as well as Jess Scully, a curator for TedX Sydney and the Vivid Ideas festival.
Robert Kok along with Clover Moore is the only remaining Councilor remaining, following the retirement of Councilors Jenny Green and John Mant.
“This new team of Independents will work with me to take things up a notch – to amplify our leading action on climate change, our investment in creative industries, our work to increase affordable housing, design excellence and sustainable urban development, our massive investment in infrastructure and our strong commitment to sustainable transport. We will continue to serve all our diverse communities,” said Ms Moore in a statement.
Kerryn Phelps told City Hub she believes her strong understanding of governance and intergovernmental relations will be what she brings to City Hall should she be successful on the Clover Moore ticket.
Ms Phelps, who lives with her partner Jaquie in Potts Point with one of their children, owns a medical practice in Surry Hills.
Speaking to City Hub, Ms Phelps said that she approached the chance to serve on the council like she did medical practice: “In life and politics do no harm— by focusing on health and wellbeing.”
For Ms Phelps, the general nature of the portfolio of a councillor is what is appealing.
“The thing about city governance is that you are across all portfolios, you may have an interest in public open space for example, but you need to be across everything, you need to have that holistic view, that is one of the attractions for me about local government.”
She thinks the City is at a “tipping point” where developer’s interests are taking priority over the sustainability and liveability of the City.
She thinks the best way to ensure the future benefit of the City is to focus on its liveability, sustainability and environmental care. She believes these are the factors that will make the City an attractive place for businesses and residents alike.
Ms Phelps has had a long career in the field of medicine graduating from the University of Sydney in 1980. She hopes her experience as a business owner of her Surry Hills medical practice will be of benefit to understanding the needs and challenges of the City’s businesses.
“I understand the needs of business management—I have a two adult children and Jackie and I have a teenager, we are connected with what families need. I like to think that I have a very personal understanding of being a resident in the City, and what business needs from City council.”
She says the decision to run for council wasn’t taken lightly: “It has been a long process of consideration.”
“I have been a long term admirer of Clover Moore. She is an effective Lord Mayor, and was an effective independent local member when she was in State Parliament,” she said.
The decision not to run with a mainstream political party was the fact that there has been a need for a “critical eye” over development and building in the city.
“There needs to be a level of accountability to the residents, that isn’t governed by Macquarie Street or Canberra.”
Anyone who thought that a career in medicine is disparate from a shot at local council would differ with Ms Phelps.
She believes her experience as president of the AMA has given her experience in governance and managing systems that will be of huge benefit at a council level.
“I think I am well qualified for the position. I understand how systems work, having run the AMA in Canberra, and at state level. I understand how state and federal government works, and I am interested in how political systems influence people’s lives,” she said.
The order of the ticket is expected to be confirmed after the electoral role closes in August.
