Full Breakdown
Parramatta Council Elects 28-Year-Old Labor Lord Mayor After Liberal Councillor Defects
By Drooid · · How we work
Mayoral Election and Party Defection
On September 28, 2026, Parramatta City Council elected Labor councillor Cameron Maclean as lord mayor by a single vote. The decisive casting vote was cast by Councillor Tanya Raffoul, who earlier that morning announced she was leaving the Liberal Party. Raffoul’s resignation altered the council’s party balance and gave Labor a slight numerical advantage at the moment of the vote.
Background & Context
Parramatta’s 15-member council has been evenly split since the 2024 election, with six Liberal, six Labor, one Greens and two independents. The previous lord mayor, Martin Zaiter (Liberal), served from 2024 until September 2026. The council has been under scrutiny due to ICAC’s Operation Navarra, which investigated former chief executive Gail Connolly, and Operation Rosny, probing alleged improper political donations and internal Liberal Party culture.
Key Figures & Groups
- Cameron Maclean – Labor councillor for Epping Ward, elected lord mayor; previously deputy lord mayor.
- Tanya Raffoul – Former Liberal councillor for Dundas Ward, resigned from the Liberal Party on the day of the vote; now an independent.
- Martin Zaiter – Outgoing Liberal lord mayor.
- Kellie Darley – Independent councillor for Dundas Ward, elected deputy lord mayor.
- ICAC – Conducting Operation Rosny, probing alleged donations and factional influences within the NSW Liberal Party.
Timeline
- 2024 – Council election produces a 6-Liberal, 6-Labor split with three cross-bench seats.
- October 2024 – Zaiter elected lord mayor by an 8-7 vote.
- September 28, 2026 – Raffoul resigns from the Liberal Party; later that night Maclean is elected lord mayor by a single vote.
- September 2026 onward – Maclean’s term runs until September 2028; Darley serves as deputy lord mayor until September 2027.
Data & Statistics
- Council composition before Raffoul’s resignation: 6 Liberal, 6 Labor, 1 Greens, 2 independents.
- After resignation: 5 Liberal, 6 Labor, 4 independents (including Raffoul).
- Vote margin for the mayoral election: 8-7 in favour of Maclean.
- Council term: September 2024 – September 2028.
Official Statements & Responses
- Cameron Maclean told 702 ABC Sydney he was “committed to greater transparency” and emphasized the need for staff to feel “safe and valued.” He thanked Raffoul for her “integrity and courage” in resigning.
- Steven Issa (Liberal councillor) said he hoped “your resolve is strengthened,” referencing Maclean’s earlier abstention on a motion to sack former CEO Connolly.
Criticism & Opposition
Raffoul’s resignation itself criticises the Liberal Party’s direction and internal culture, as she stated in her public comments. No additional organized opposition to the mayoral outcome was reported.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources agree Raffoul’s vote was pivotal, but differ on whether her vote alone secured Maclean’s victory. The full voting record of all 15 councillors has not been released, leaving uncertainty about the exact coalition.
Verbatim Quotes
- “She really believes and sincerely believes that the Liberal Party is going the wrong direction, but it's really not for me to put words in Tanya's mouth,” — Cr Maclean, Labor councillor
- “Thank you for working together as one along our journey to become Australia’s next global city,” — Martin Zaiter, outgoing mayor
What’s Next
Maclean will serve as lord mayor until September 2028, with Deputy Lord Mayor Darley in place until September 2027. The altered balance—Labor six seats, Liberals five, and four independents—means future council decisions on budgets, planning and major projects will require negotiation with Raffoul and other cross-bench members. Ongoing ICAC investigations under Operation Rosny may also influence the council’s political environment.