Mayor Mannoun rules out move to Canberra

Ned Mannoun says he hasn’t got plans to go to Canberra at the next federal election.

The Liverpool mayor says he can rule out such a move “110 percent’’.

Suggestions have been circulating in the local branches of the Liberal Party that Cr Mannoun, who has been mayor for three years and still has a year to run on his term, had an eye on a federal seat, either Hughes or Macarthur.

“No, no, I can definitely rule it out,’’ Cr Mannoun told the South West Voice.

“Why would I want to go to Canberra?

“Why would I take that on, spend so much time there when I have a great job here as mayor of Liverpool,’’ he said.

“I’m staying here.’’

The speculation was sparked by the electoral redistribution process which got under way earlier this year, but which is far from being completed.

Redistribution of electorates is an arduous, seven step process and this one is only half way through step three.

This is where interested parties, including the public – but not the sitting member of parliament – comment on the submissions lodged in step two.

A potential change in the seat of Macarthur, held by former Campbelltown mayor Russell Matheson, had it moving north to parts of Liverpool such as Cecil Park.

And Hughes, held by Craig Kelly, is subject to a tug of war between Labor and Liberal – the ALP wants to turn it into one of its own safe seats, while the Liberals would prefer to see it increase its affinity to the Sutherland Shire.

It’s anybody’s guess which way the Australian Electoral Commission will go when it makes a final decision later this year, but at least Mayor Mannoun has cleared up one question mark.

He has also dismissed a suggestion he had been recently signing up new branch members from the Indian community.

[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“No, absolutely not, haven’t done that and I am definitely not running for Canberra.’’[/social_quote]