The 2018 Melbourne lord mayoral by-election was held from 23 April until 11 May 2018 to elect the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, following the resignation of Robert Doyle. The election used a preferential voting system and was held by postal ballot.
Background The City of Melbourne is a local government municipality consisting of nine councillors, a lord mayor and a deputy lord mayor, who are elected for a four-year term. The incumbent lord mayor, Robert Doyle, was first elected in the 2008 City of Melbourne election.
On 15 December 2017, Cr Tessa Sullivan resigned from the council. Sullivan, who had been elected on the Team Doyle ticket alongside Doyle, lodged a complaint with the City of Melbourne chief executive Ben Rimmer. In her complaint, Sullivan alleged that Doyle had sexually harassed and indecently assaulted her. On 17 December, Doyle released a statement on Twitter, which said he had not been informed of the details of the allegations. He announced he would take a month's leave while an investigation was carried out, stressing that his standing aside "must not be interpreted as any concession or admission".
Further allegations were made against Doyle in January 2018.More of Robert Doyle's alleged victims keep silent fearing they too will be 'vilified' On 4 February 2018, Doyle resigned as Lord Mayor of Melbourne.
Candidates The candidates for lord mayor at the by-election were:
Candidates (14) in ballot paper order Party Candidate Background IndependentQun XieTaxation officer, accountant, economist and company executive director. IndependentSally CappFormer CEO of the Committee for Melbourne, former Victorian Agent-General in London. IndependentLuke Downing GreensCity of Melbourne councillor and Chair of the Arts, Culture, and Heritage portfolios. IndependentSally WarhaftBroadcaster, anthropologist and writer involved with the Wheeler Centre. IndependentAlex MacdonaldLocal business owner. IndependentAllan WatsonFormer councillor and Lord Mayor, 1993. LaborJennifer YangFormer City of Manningham mayor and businesswoman. IndependentKatie SfetkidisIndependent artist. IndependentGary MorganExecutive chairman of Roy Morgan Research and pollster. IndependentNathalie Nicole O'SughrueEmployment Services Industry, Business coach. IndependentMichael BurgePsychologist, Liberal candidate for Thomastown in the 2010 Victorian state election, OAM. LiberalKen OngBusinessman and former City of Melbourne councillor. Animal Justice PartyBruce Poon
Results
References