Perth Voice Interactive

NAOMI CLARK of Beaufort Street, Highgate—Vincent mayor Alannah MacTiernan would like to hear from you because she reckons you’re bogus.

In a letter published in the Voice last week Ms Clark was critical of Cr John Carey, mocking his support for publishing kerb crawlers’ details as “an obvious ploy to move to the right and buy him some street-cred with Katter’s Australia Party”.

But the mayor reckons she can smell a rat and doubts Ms Clark exists.

She’s given the Voice a slap about the head for not checking the author was legit before publishing the letter: “I think it’s very nasty, it goes beyond fair comment,” she says. “I do think there has to be a slightly more professional approach.

“I would have thought you would have an obligation, before you publish, to check if the person does exist and lives in Beaufort Street or works in Beaufort Street.

“Is she writing at someone’s behest, or a nom de plume?”

The Voice called and texted Ms Clark on the number provided but received no reply. The address she’d supplied was for a large apartment block.

Some issues featured in the letter—including budget blowouts for art on Beaufort Street and letting police handle street prostitution—had been previously raised by Cr Dudley Maier. Cr Maier says he doesn’t know Ms Clark.

Naomi Clark, if you do exist give the Voice a call on 9430 7727.

Carey responds

The letter stated “I understand… John Carey’s disappointment at Labor’s recent defeat in the seat of Perth. Given his constant self-promotion in the pages of the Voice I got the distinct feeling he was working to replace John Hyde in four years’ time.”

Cr Carey says he is a Labor party member but wouldn’t talk about his ambitions.

“I’m not going to get involved in speculation for something four years down the track,” he says. “My focus is on being a councillor, on the Beaufort Street Network, on the Beaufort Street festival and getting the job done.”

He says he’s had no discussions with former Perth Labor MP John Hyde nor the ALP about running as its Perth candidate.

He says he joined the ALP 11 years ago, “because I believe in social justice, equity and fairness… [and] protecting the interests of ordinary workers in the workplace”.

“I do believe in the role of unions in the workplace, I do support a strong awards system, ultimately it’s about fairness and equity and social justice.”

His father, a meatworker and WWII soldier was also a long-time party member.

Cr Carey says his party membership doesn’t affect his role on council.

“You look at the City of Vincent, and what I love about it is it’s not factionalised.”

by DAVID BELL