ROY LEWISSON is a White Gum Valley resident who every time an election comes around in Freo gives us his take on the state of play. Having worked on a few campaigns in his time, he says this year’s mayoral election could be a turning point for ratepayers.
A YEAR like 2025 only comes around every 12 years – where there is a federal, state, mayoral and council elections all within eight months of each other.
Let’s talk local council elections and in particular – mayoral elections.
For time immemorial, the state and federal parliamentary seats in Fremantle have been held by the Australian Labor Party.
Being incredibly safe ALP seats (fifth safest seat in the state and third safest seat in the nation) there has been no need for ‘pork-barreling’ in WA’s major port city.
However at the beginning of this year – there was a disrupter to this sea of red – enter community independent Kate Hulett.
When the back rooms of the ALP state executive crunched the numbers, it became obvious a deal was required with the ‘Opposition’ (a term only relevant in a two-party system).
The ALP were prepared to stoop to previously unthinkable levels, in order to secure Fremantle.
The results were going to be very close – and they were; VERY!
The state seat was separated by just over 400 votes and the security of the federal seat of Fremantle plummeted from #3 to #92 (in a 94 seat ALP Parliament) – i.e. from the 3rd safest to the 3rd most marginal, contrary to a nationwide ALP landslide.
Fremantle local council politics have largely been free of party politics and independent councillors have, for the most part, been focused on what is best for Fremantle.
Party issues and personal ongoing political careers, have not featured strongly.
However the last four mayoral years in Freo, have been not followed this tradition.
I suggest, had there been an ALP state government committee running the show – the outcomes for Fremantle residents would have been identical to the reality.
In relation to the top job, the silence on anything relating to sustainability or climate, has been deafening.
Deafening
It is difficult to focus on Fremantle issues and be committed to the Fremantle community, when the mayoral tenure appears purely a vehicle for furthering one’s political career – and in particular – a ‘party’ political career.
This discontent also resonated throughout the council chambers with a number of disgruntled elected members unhappy with what they saw as a isolationist and non-inclusive management style from the current Mayor.
Wonder why two of them are running against current mayor?
Based on this performance over the last four years – it is pretty obvious to those who follow local politics – this Freo mayoral chapter is closed.
Which brings us to possible mayors for the next four years.
Since nominations are now closed, serious contenders boil down to Jenny Archibald and Ben Lawver – both current councillors.
Jenny has represented Central / East Ward for the last eight years and is currently the deputy mayor.
Jenny was also a councillor from 1990 – 1994 and was mayor from 1994 – 1997.
Ben Lawver has represented East / Hilton Ward since 2021.
I would suggest the largest change to sweep across all the Fremantle electorates this year, has been lifting the toxic lid on party politics.
Many Fremantle voters are now looking to support candidates who are truly independent i.e. have no party membership or employment affiliations (past or present) with any political party or party politician.
In the upcoming local Council elections for October 2025, such candidates include –
Melanie Clark in North Ward
Brendan Moore in East Ward
Andrew Sullivan in Coastal Ward
Jenny Archibald for mayor
Fedele Camarda (current Central Ward councillor) – who has been re-elected unopposed.
The tide has turned in Fremantle and the sea is changing from ‘red’ and becoming more translucent.
I have always thought of the Fremantle electorates as a little bit more engaged and politically active than other electorates in WA.
I have no doubt this active engagement will translate into votes, which are aligned with true democracy.