A preference deal has been struck between traditional rivals Labor and Liberal ahead of September’s Maitland Council election.
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Labor will preference the Greens second then Liberals third, while the Liberals will place Brian Burke’s independent team at number two and then Labor.
Mayoral candidates Loretta Baker (Labor) and Bob Geoghegan (Liberal) conceded the deal was uncommon, but both said they had worked well together in the past.
“It is a little unusual,” Cr Geoghegan said.
“In other areas [Labor and Liberals] are at loggerheads, but in Maitland it’s different.
“We know they have the interests of Maitland at heart.”
Cr Geoghegan said his decision was based on the “character and behaviour” of the candidates.
Cr Baker said the deal was not about party politics, but about the broader interests that were shared between the two.
She said while they didn’t always vote the same, they both worked hard for Maitland residents.
Sage Swinton
Sage Swinton is a news reporter who was born and bred in the Hunter. She has been with the Newcastle Herald since June 2020, and covers Newcastle council as well as other general news.
Sage Swinton is a news reporter who was born and bred in the Hunter. She has been with the Newcastle Herald since June 2020, and covers Newcastle council as well as other general news.
