Liberal legacies, Labor loyalties and lone wolves: The factions in the race for Perth lord mayor

5 days ago 4

Local government elections in Western Australia are meant to be non-partisan, but in the City of Perth, party loyalties are hiding in plain sight.

Unlike some states, WA does not require candidates to disclose their political affiliations.

Bruce Reynolds (centre) with his team (L-R) Steven Wellard, Susanna Panaia, Elle Hashemi, Lisa Ma and Liam Gobbert.

While councils such as Bayswater and South Perth keep registers to capture memberships, City of Perth voters must rely on flyers, forums and campaign material to piece together the allegiances behind the names on the ballot.

The city’s mayoral campaign is unfolding in the shadow of Basil Zempilas’ move to state politics, which eventually saw him take the role of WA Liberal Party leader.

The former television presenter resigned as Perth lord mayor in March to enter state parliament, leaving what one insider described as a “hole” at the council table.

That absence has left the Perth contest fractured and with a Liberal-leaning ticket, independents with party histories, and Labor-aligned candidates running solo – all of whom insist their political inclinations would have no influence on council decision-making.

Reynolds’ camp

Acting Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds is seeking to keep the city’s top job, campaigning on stability and safety.

The real estate marketing agent’s flyers highlight a record $313 million budget, “building momentum” for projects such as the East Perth Sport Hub and James Street upgrade, and “strengthened partnerships” with the state government.

“My vision is for Perth to be the safest and most vibrant capital city in Australia, a place where residents, businesses and visitors thrive,” Reynolds says.

Many council hopefuls’ political leanings were made clear during a candidate forum in East Perth in September, billed as an opportunity for those in the running to “present their vision and priorities for the City of Perth”, followed by a question-and-answer session.

Reynolds is the immediate past president of the Perth Liberal branch.

At the candidate forum, he said: “I was a member, but I did resign when I was made deputy lord mayor of the city because I do believe the role of mayor should be apolitical.”

Internal party records seen by this masthead show Reynolds was still attending meetings in January, months after his appointment to acting lord mayor.

He said he had notified the division in November and was “confused around the timing”, but confirmed his last meeting was in January.

Reynolds has since handed the branch presidency to City of Perth councillor Steven Wellard, who is also seeking re-election. Wellard told this masthead his party membership did not dictate council decisions.

Reynolds’ ticket includes Wellard, former federal Liberal candidate Susanna Panaia, independents Elle Hashemi and Liam Gobbert, and Young Labor member Lisa Ma.

Ma told the forum her membership would “not affect my decision-making on council if I was elected”.

Lezer’s bloc

Catherine Lezer and Adam Pacan on the campaign trail.

Councillor Catherine Lezer is also running for lord mayor, leading a ticket that presents itself as independent.

In campaign material, Lezer calls herself Perth’s “biggest cheerleader”, cites her finance background and Heritage Council of WA role, and campaigns under the motto “independent, proven and ethical”.

“I’m ready to tackle quality apartment living, fair rates and parking, family/pet amenities, breathing life into vacant spaces, green havens, safeguarding foreshore access, safer walking/cycling, more art and a big dose of vibrancy,” it reads.

But internal records seen by this masthead show Lezer applied to join the Liberal Party Perth Branch in September 2024 and was accepted, paying a $50 membership fee.

She has not responded to questions from this masthead about her current membership status.

Lezer’s ticket includes former Liberal member Adam Pacan, who told this masthead he quit the party in June.

“Yes, I was very briefly a member … last financial year, but I didn’t feel it was the right path for me,” Pacan said.

“I didn’t renew my membership because I want to represent the community independently and focus on local issues, rather than being tied to a party agenda.”

Also on Lezer’s ticket are independents Amberlea Henriques and Dave Lee.

The Labor-aligned candidates

Clyde Bevan is open about his Labor membership.

Meanwhile, two lord mayoral contenders are openly linked to Labor.

Restaurateur and councillor Clyde Bevan, a Labor member for 40 years, said his values shaped his decision-making: “I believe we have a responsibility to one another. Listening is my core leadership value … always listening, always working.”

Trauma doctor and fellow councillor Viktor Ko, a former federal Labor candidate for Curtin, said in his election material: “Our city does not need another MBA or saviour independent. It needs someone who can bring people together … I bring not just leadership but expertise, with evidence, compassion and care.”

Three weeks ago, council candidate Jason Bo told the candidate forum he had no party ties. But last Thursday, his name appeared on an internal “special members bulletin” listing WA Labor members running for council.

Viktor Ko ran in Labor’s Curtin seat at the Federal Election.

“For transparency, joining the Labor Party was a recent decision based on my personal beliefs in its core values of fairness and community,” Bo told this masthead.

“I have not attended any branch meetings, and I am committed to not be involved in any party-related activities during my tenure should I be elected. I will always be focused on local issues of residents and ratepayers without any undue influence.”

WA Labor secretary Mark Reed said the memo was for “reference only”.

“No endorsement of candidates has been made. WA Labor is not providing any campaign assistance to candidates,” Reed said.

Fellow council hopeful Dragana Flynn told the candidates forum she had been in the Labor Party since the 1990s and had “always been transparent” about it.

The independents

Other candidates are pitching themselves as unaligned.

Businessman Chris Patton calls himself as the “only genuine independent” in the mayoral race.

“Perth deserves a fresh, focused approach – one that puts local priorities before politics,” he said.

Commercial lawyer Shirley Vine, another mayoral contender, says she wants to bring “fairness, courage and heart” to the city.

Business owner Dave Lee, running for council, has been outspoken against party involvement.

“I have never been [in a party] and I don’t think anybody from a political party should be on council. I think it’s a conflict of interest,” Lee told the candidates forum.

Transparency paramount in a system without disclosure laws

WA Local Government Association president Karen Chappel said while state law did not compel candidates to declare party memberships, candidates still had a duty to act openly and in the community’s best interests.

“Elected members and candidates need to be aware of and act consistently with their responsibilities under the Local Government Act 1995 and the Code of Conduct for council members, committee members and candidates,” she said.

“Unlike some other states, there is no statutory requirement in Western Australia for local government elected members or candidates to feature or disclose official political party affiliations or memberships.

“That makes transparency and integrity in their dealings with the community even more important.”

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