He will not put his hand up for the top job which will be voted on at Monday evening’s annual general meeting, as he does not have support from his fellow councillors. He said every time he had asked for support to be voted in ahead of the yearly mayoral elections he was told he didn’t have enough experience and didn’t understand governance. 

“I would have loved to put my hat in the ring, but before I could do that I had to speak with councillors Kylie Gaston and Mike Neoh, as they have in the past shaped the council,” he said.

“Without their support it is pointless. They told me at a briefing that they would not be supporting me. I believe this is clearly bullying through exclusion. One of the foundations of democracy and good governance is merit-based appointments.”

He said he often asked further questions of the council and delved deeper into issues.

“I’ve been punished through exclusion by not accepting that it’s okay to receive and make decisions based on falsehoods – the horses on beaches is one debacle, we didn’t have all the information when we voted,” he said. 

He said this year he was voted off all council committees he was previously on.

“I’m not the only person that thinks this way,” he said. “I heard Kevin Rudd talking about the equality of opportunity this past week.”

Cr Neoh said generally a week before the elections there was discussions among councillors to see who was putting their hand up and who wasn’t.

“The councillors do a pitch on why they should be mayor, and councillors consider those candidates before the meeting,” he said. “I have never said that Peter lacked governance or experience. Others may have said that.” 

He said getting support wasn’t reliant on him or Cr Gaston as they were only two votes.

“I always look at the mayor on merit,” he said. “I don’t have any bias. To me it’s about who is available in the year and have they demonstrated positive leadership. The council don’t want negativity.”