The Liberal Party in Macarthur is in turmoil following the sudden retirement of the mayor of Campbelltown, Cr Paul Hawker.
Sources within the party have told the Voice in Macarthur that the mayor decided to call it quits after he was rolled for the top spot on the Liberal Party ticket for the September 10 elections.
Cr Hawker also asked for new blood to be put on the ticket, including women, but sources say this was rejected by party powerbrokers.
This left him with no alternative than to announce his retirement at the September 10 polls.
Councillor George Greiss will now head the Liberal Party ticket, which will include three members of his immediate family and Ted Rowell, the father of Wollondilly MP Jai Rowell.
The MP has vigorously denied that he had anything to do with the Liberal ticket for the Campbelltown Council elections.
“Paul Hawker has done a fantastic job as the first Liberal Party mayor of Campbelltown in around 50 years; I am shocked he is retiring,’’ Mr Rowell told the Voice.
Cr Greiss, who controls the numbers in the Local Liberal Party branch, did not deny that members of his family will be included in the ticket but said he could not comment on internal Liberal Party processes, including claims of nepotism or that he had rolled the mayor.
“The Liberal Party decides preselections,’’ he said.
“I wish Paul all the very best in his retirement,’’ Cr Greiss said.
The mayor himself refused to confirm or deny that he had been rolled by the Greiss forces or anyone else.
But in announcing his retirement, the 69-year-old Bradbury resident who has served on council for 12 years and has been the mayor since 2015, warned that “personal agendas and party politics must be put aside’’ if Campbelltown is to grow and prosper.
“Areas and issues needing close scrutiny are the environment, cultural resources, public art, council’s facilities and open spaces/playgrounds for community uses,” Cr Hawker said.
“September 2016 will shepherd in a new period of growth and opportunities for the City of Campbelltown, and while council has played an integral part in my family’s life for more than a decade, I have decided it’s time to move on,” Cr Hawker said.
He said that Campbelltown Council was dedicated to ensuring the region was a great place to live, work, learn, play, invest and visit.
As recent achievements he listed:
• Securing “Regional City” status for Campbelltown, making the area more attractive to business and investment
• Facilitating the $240m redevelopment of Macarthur Square
• The duplication and improvement of Eagle Vale Drive which included a successful application for $17.5m funding from the Federal Government
• The construction of a WWI Memorial Wall at Mawson Park
• The construction or improvement of amenities blocks at local parks and sporting grounds in Glenfield, Macquarie Fields, Ruse, Kentlyn and St Helens Park with more planned.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“The goals and strategic visions of Campbelltown Council which have resulted in solid realities are testimony not only to the elected councillors but to our wonderful employees led by our dynamic General Manager, Lindy Deitz,” Cr Hawker said.[/social_quote]
On a personal level, Cr Hawker has served as:
• President of Macarthur Regional Organisation of Councils (MACROC)
• Director of Local Government NSW
• Member of ministerial advisory group, Fit For The Future
• Chairman of the Campbelltown Safety Committee and Arts Committee
• Chairman of Corporate Governance
Campaigner against domestic violence
Cr Hawker has also campaigned tirelessly against domestic violence, promoted investment in mental health services and attended hundreds of functions to support local charities, community groups and sporting clubs.
“The support, encouragement and guidance offered to me by the many residents of Campbelltown was always kindly received and where appropriate, considered,” Cr Hawker said.
“I wish the incoming Council all the very best.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“It has been a privilege and honour to lead our city, especially as Mayor over the last 12 months.[/social_quote]
“What a gift that was afforded me.
“Thank you for the memories,” Cr Hawker said.
What ?
What a shame! Paul has been a wonderful Councillor and even better Mayor. He is always out in the community meeting people or lending a hand. He is a great supporter of a diverse range of charity, community and sporting groups. I must also mention I feel like we get a bonus deal with Paul because his lovely wife, Sigi, gets involved too!
Ellie Roach ??
No place for party politics in local Government, also family connections, only have to look at Wollondilly to see the effects of this.