Fremantle Mayor, Hannah Fitzhardinge, has been appointed Acting Perth Lord Mayor following the election of Basil Zempilas to the WA Parliament.
Section 25.4.1 of the City of Perth Act 2016 stipulates that in the case of a Lord Mayor vacating the seat, the Mayor of Western Australia’s second city, Fremantle, automatically assumes the position.
Lord Mayor Fitzhardinge (pictured) will hold the role until a new Lord Mayor can be elected in the October local government elections.
“It’s an honour to step into role of Perth Lord Mayor and also to congratulate Basil on his election not only to State Parliament, but also as Leader of the Opposition,” said Lord Mayor Fitzhardinge.
“Given Basil managed to juggle his job at Seven West Media and his campaign for the seat of Churchlands, all while holding the role of Lord Mayor, I don’t think I’ll find that being Mayor of Perth and Freo at the same time is too difficult. Women are renowned for multi-tasking, after all.”
The Lord Mayor said she would not accept any payment for her new role as Perth Lord Mayor, but said she would happily bring the Ore Obelisk, affectionately known as the ‘Rock Kebab’, to Fremantle, in lieu of payment.
She named a number of possible locations for the world-renowned artwork, such as outside the Fremantle Council building at Walyalup Koort, in Esplanade Park or in front of Fremantle Prison.
