Labor announces its candidates and campaign strategy for the 2024 Wollongong City Council election at Stuart Park on Friday (2 August). Photo: Zoe Cartwright.
At Stuart Park on Friday (2 August), the Labor Party announced 12 candidates will contest the Wollongong City Council elections in September.
It’s a number that could give the party a majority in the council chambers come 2025 – something that hasn’t been seen since the entire council was sacked in 2008 after the New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption found “unprecedented” levels of corruption.
Lord mayoral candidate, current Deputy Lord Mayor Tania Brown, said things had changed since then.
“We no longer caucus at a local government level, and regardless of party background everyone at the council table is there for their community,” she said.
“ICAC was 20 years ago and the council is now a much more professionally led organisation.
“I’m ready to step up to the challenge of lord mayor. I’ve chaired many meetings, been a professional in many capacities and I would want a collegiate, respectful, professional culture to continue.”
Of the 12 Labor candidates, four are current councillors in addition to Cr Brown: David Brown, Ann Martin, Linda Campbell and Richard Martin.
Seven are new faces: Dan Hayes, Karen Fairbairn, Iskra Spencer, Thomas Quinn, Michael Valceski, Tiana Myers and David Haden.
Current Labor councillor Janice Kershaw will not run again.
Cr Brown said she was heartened so many current councillors had chosen to throw their hats back in the ring.
“I think we have an experienced team that know how council works and seven new faces that bring a range of diversity and experiences to the table,” she said.
“I’m very proud of this team.
“I was born here, I grew up in Wollongong, I raised my family here and I want to make sure Wollongong’s a place everyone can be proud of.”
Cr Brown said Labor’s election strategy would be based on the four policy pillars of housing, jobs, supporting the suburbs and valuing the environment.
“The policies we outline today will help Wollongong be a great place to live, work and raise a family,” she said.
“We will deliver a customer-focused council that is financially responsible when facing climate change and cost-of-living pressures.
“I have the experience to do the job, as a councillor for seven years and Deputy Lord Mayor for five of those years.
“My record includes responsible council budget management, establishing a post-COVID economic recovery taskforce, a skills roundtable and various measures to promote affordable housing.”
Cr Brown said the Labor team would make further policy announcements during the campaign.
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