Greens Celebrate Result Despite Lord Mayoral Loss

BY MARLEY RAE

Greens candidate Charlotte McCabe is celebrating a historic result in this year's Newcastle Lord Mayoral by-election, despite a major loss. 

The Greens received nearly 20 per cent of the overall vote with more than 14,000 Novocastrians voting for the progressive party.

It marks a five per cent increase in the party's primary vote as it stood on Sunday.

Cr McCabe said she is thrilled to see the support for minor parties.

"I'm really thankful to everyone who gave me their support and put number one in the Greens box this time around," she said. 

"It's so great to see that every election, the Greens vote just keeps on growing."

Despite the success, independent candidate Gavin Morris secured a landslide victory, claiming almost 50 per cent of the overall vote.

Cr McCabe said while she is supportive of Gavin, she is concerned around his lack of council experience.

"I think Gavin's definitely going to be on a learning curve but we all understand that," she added.

"I think it would have been preferable to have someone coming to the role who was experienced."  

Trailing behind the Greens in third place was Labor's Declan Clausen who was expected to be Gavin's biggest rival, claiming only 16 per cent the overall vote. 

Additionally, Liberal candidate Jenny Barrie only secured seven per cent of votes, a notable low for the major party. 

Picture: Charlotte McCabe

Gavin Morris To Run For Newcastle Lord Mayor

 BY OLI GOELDNER

Former NBN weatherman Gavin Morris has announced he will be running for Lord Mayor in the upcoming by-election. 

He announced his candidacy on Friday morning, with the endorsement of former Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge. 

Mr Morris said he plans to run as an Independent. 

"There is a lot to do from here on in," he said.

"I have to build a campaign, I need volunteers, I need to build funding, I need to engage with the community, and that is my focus right now.

"If I were elected Lord Mayor, I would take what I learn over the next week and help it guide with the decisions that need to be made for the betterment of our city in the future."

It follows Cr Ross Kerridge resigning from the position on Monday due to his ongoing battle with cancer. 

Mr Morris said he believes his skills in the media will be beneficial if he is to be elected. 

"I've been a member of the media for more than 40 years and I have a unique skill set and I think a lot of those skills from my days in media and engaging with the community carry over beautifully into the position of Lord Mayor," he explained.

"And I feel it's really important to come in completely afresh.

"I am not connected and I am not influenced by any past goings-on in the council and I think that is really important, not just for me but for the future Lord Mayor.

"I think it's really important that that future Lord Mayor is completely and truly independent.

"I think that's more important than just about anything else."

The upcoming by-election for the position is expected to be held in mid-April.