It seems the Liberal Party have turned their backs on longstanding political figure and Hornsby Shire Mayor, Philip Ruddock AO.
In a Liberal Party preselection on Monday, 5th of August, Ruddock lost the mayoral ballot to fellow Hornsby Shire councillor, Warren Waddell, 164 votes to 104. This will see Philip Ruddock remaining as mayor until the Local Government Elections next month, though creates a question mark for who will assume the mayoral position.
In a statement to The Post, Philip Ruddock alleges this ousting is a result of senior federal members and their property developer interests, which runs counter to Ruddock’s stance against developers having “free reign over the shire”.
‘I have always advocated for appropriate development that respects the built and natural environment of the Shire of Hornsby,’ says Philip Ruddock in a statement. ‘I chose to stand for preselection as an example that politicians should not bow to vested interests, and instead should fight even unwinnable battles on behalf of those they are supposed to represent.’
Philip Ruddock, Mayor Hornsby Shire Council
Philip Ruddock has been Mayor of Sydney’s Bushland Shire since 2017, after serving almost 50 years in politics as the Member for Parramatta, Dundas, and Berowra. Under the ministry of John Howard, Ruddock served as the Attorney-General of Australia, and Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs. Under Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Ruddock stood as Chief Government Whip in the House of Representatives.
‘A considered approach to the way Hornsby manages the balance between urban growth, its rural areas and its natural environment was the reason I re-entered politics and stood for Mayor seven years ago,’ says Ruddock. ‘My commitment has been my ongoing public service to the diverse voices of the people of Hornsby Shire.’
Philip Ruddock, Mayor Hornsby Shire Council
Whether or not this ousting will cause the demise of Philip Ruddock in the political space, the community will have to wait and see.
Local council elections will be held on the 14th of September.
