NUATALI Nelmes has been pre-selected as Labor’s candidate for Newcastle lord mayor in the upcoming byelection.
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Cr Nelmes was officially endorsed by the party at about 2.30pm on Wednesday, and is the first confirmed candidate to stand in the race.
In a statement she said she wanted to restore “trust and faith in Civic Leadership” following a dramatic few weeks that has seen Newcastle’s political foundation decimated by three high profile resignations, including former lord mayor Jeff McCloy.
“What is needed now more than anything is real leadership – leadership that inspires stability in our local government,” she said.
“I think really we need to re-engage with the community, that’s something that has been lost in the last couple of years and that is a big part of what I want to do.”
Less than two years ago at the 2012 election Cr Nelmes ran second to the eventual winner, Jeff McCloy, polling 28.4 per cent of the total vote, and she will enter this race as the favourite.
After six years on the council her pre-selection by the Labor was widely expected after fellow councillor Tim Crakanthorp won pre-selection for the state seat earlier this year.
She said working as part of a “solid” Labor team would be a vital part of her role, if she was successful.
“If elected Lord Mayor I commit to working cooperatively with the elected Council and the community, to continue the momentum for change and return openness and transparency to local government in Newcastle,” she said.