Perth Voice Interactive

PERTH lord mayor Lisa Scaffidi has announced she’ll recontest her seat, hoping for a third term.

For the launch, her campaign team uploaded to Youtube a rap poem video, The Scaffidi Factor, by local poet Stevie Belowsky.

“It’s the Scaffidi Facta that attracts ya to a city running fasta,” the slam poetry champion recites, along with “coffee shop infusion no illusion”.

But eagle-eyed viewers have noted the video was filmed across the municipal border, in Harvison Gallery and Cafe, just metres from Vincent mayor John Carey’s house.

“I’m incredibly proud that Lisa launched her campaign for the City of Perth election in the City of Vincent,” Mr Carey hooted delightedly.

“I am proud that she picked a great local cafe, one I visit every morning, 20 metres from my house.

“I’m glad she’s doing what I’m doing by supporting local cafes. It’s great to see.”

Ms Scaffidi hasn’t been chatting to the Voice lately, but in an online video said: “I am seeking to renew my contract with the people of Perth to complete the transformation of Perth into a strong and vital capital city.

“As vibrant and modern as central Perth has become since first promising I would get Perth moving, I believe there is still work to be done.

“Given the change in our economic climate it is now critical to focus on building and diversifying the city’s economy to create a strong and vital Perth,” saying the technology sector was key.

Ms Scaffidi, 55, was elected as a Perth city councillor in 2000 and lord mayor in 2007. In 2013 she was named runner-up in the World Mayor Project’s best mayor competition.

She’s been a big supporter of state government projects like the Northbridge link, Elizabeth Quay and the cultural centre, but has in the past gone head to head with the Barnett government opposing plans to run light rail through the city’s pedestrian malls,

by DAVID BELL