Perth Voice Interactive

BAYSWATER councillor Sally Palmer has won the North Ward by-election comfortably, saying political manoeuvring before the vote probably worked in her favour.

Friday’s by-election was forced when mayor Filomena Piffaretti resigned from her ward seat just five days before last October’s general election, robbing Cr Palmer of an opportunity to take the vacancy as the runner-up (“Shock resignation,” Voice, October 19, 2023).

While Ms Piffaretti posted to social media that the move would help her achieve a “clear mandate” and an opportunity to lead in her own right, Cr Palmer said not all voters saw it that way.

“A lot of people could see through what was going on, and to have an election in January and February was a killer, and that had people offering to help,” she said of her campaign.

“I was upset because when you are walking the streets in 40 degrees, you start to wonder ‘why am I doing this’.

“We had people in their 80s walking the streets and they’d come back and they were covered in perspiration, but you’d say they’d done enough and they’d just say ‘no, give me some more pamphlets’ because they believe in working for goodness.”

Cr Palmer said despite the controversy around the election, she wasn’t harbouring any bitterness and would be happy to work with the mayor and her political allies.

Dynamic

“We have a good dynamic and variety, with young people, different genders and different ages, and that should be used for healthy decision-making for the community, not for factions.”

Cr Palmer said being voted onto council was an honour and she hoped to set a “mature example”.

“Maybe this nonsense has been like a couple who have a row, but learn from it,” she said.

Keeping spending down so rate increases could be kept to a minimum was high on her agenda for the next term, saying she’d like to see the end of council-organised mini activities like yoga in the park that attracted only a handful of people, preferring the funding be spent on showstopper festivals that attracted thousands and gave them a good impression of the city.

by STEVE GRANT