Perth Councillor Reece Harley.
Camera IconPerth Councillor Reece Harley. Credit: Supplied/Andrew Ritchie

City of Perth councillor Harley won’t rule out another tilt at becoming Lord Mayor

Giovanni TorreEastern Reporter

CITY of Perth councillor Reece Harley will seek a second term at the local government elections this year, and would not rule out another tilt at becoming Lord Mayor.

Councillor Harley revealed his intentions to the Guardian Express while discussing the City’s new media policy, a change for which he had long campaigned.

“I will be nominating for council at the October election. I will be throwing my hat into the ring for a second term,” he said.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Cr Harley said he would consider running for Lord Mayor when it was next up for election.

“The position of Lord Mayor does not come up for re-election until 2019. I ran in the last election and received considerable support,” he said.

“When it comes closer I will give it serious consideration. I will run if I think it is in the best interest of the City at the time.

“These are complex decisions; you make them with consideration of your family and the people around you.

“The role of Lord Mayor should not be seen as a stepping stone to something else; I can not over-state the importance of civic leadership.

“It is a role that must be taken seriously and I will take it seriously at the time and make an assessment as to whether it is the right time.”

Cr Harley lost the Lord Mayoral election by about 300 votes in 2015.

Cr Harley said the end of the City’s media ban on councillors should facilitate better policy-making.

“We should not be afraid of councillors pushing their policy ideas to improve the City in the public domain,” he said.

“The former policy allowed councillors to go through a council meeting without saying anything and then telling the media ‘I’m sorry, I can’t provide a comment’.

“I think now there will be more pressure on councillors to give their views on matters which will engender more accountability.

“Elected members were not able to give their personal views (through the media) to their constituents about the direction of the City.

“My hope is now people can speak more freely about the future direction of the City and that this leads to better policy making.”

Cr Harley said he hoped the media policy reform was “one piece of the puzzle” that “helps push the City forward”.

“I don’t think it will have a revolutionary effect on its own – but it will encourage councillors to communicate with the community more fully and that will be a good thing for the City.”

MORE: Claremont rangers and parking officers to be equipped with body worn cameras

MORE: Fremantle Chocolate Market: Esplanade Hotel to host another tasty day out after success of bacon festival

MORE: Psychologist using Dungeons & Dragons in treatment of teens