Perth Voice Interactive

LISA BAKER has been relegated to the same pariah status as cigarette companies, being refused a stall spot at the Autumn River Festival.

The Maylands Labor MP has run stalls at the festival twice previously but Bayswater city council says political parties, real estate agents and liquor and tobacco companies are now banned under new bylaws.

Ms Baker says council staffers are misreading the rules and that she intends to be there as a local MP, not as a Labor Party representative.

“I have previously provided the community with useful information about state government grants and rebates, information for seniors and community services available to residents locally,” she says.

“A member of parliament governs for all electors within their constituency, regardless of the political affiliation of those electors.

“Most of my material doesn’t even mention WA Labor.”

The no-politics rule was brought in after councillors expressed concern that Cr Sylvan Albert—who is now the mayor—had used the Maylands Street Festival to promote himself as Ms Baker’s Liberal opponent in the 2013 campaign.

Ms Baker’s appeal will now go before the council which, following the October council elections, has a majority Liberal faction.

“As mayor it would be inappropriate for me to try to second-guess council’s decision,” Cr Albert says. “I want to listen to the debate and consider the information provided in the report before I decide how to vote.”

Ms Baker says approval should have been granted by council staff months ago: “This shouldn’t even be going to council,” she fumed. “I just hope councillors vote independently and are not swayed by their political persuasions.”