Dr Ross Kerridge is announcing his candidacy for the Lord Mayor of City of Newcastle at the
election on the 14 September.
As a lifelong member of the Labor party, Dr Kerridge is saddened to resign from the party he
joined at 18 years old. He is resigning as he no longer has any faith in the leadership in our City
under Lord Mayor Nelmes and her team of councillors.
“Our City has seen scandal after scandal, embarrassment after embarrassment. We need fresh
leadership that will actually listen to the community. We need Councillors who will cooperate with
the city’s small businesses, with community groups and ratepayers and who will passionately
serve on the council without using the position as a stepping stone to become the next state or
federal member.”
Dr Ross Kerridge has spent his entire career serving others. As a Staff Specialist Anaesthetist at
the John Hunter Hospital, Ross understands how to lead and work in a team under pressure. He
understands putting integrity first and foremost and will carry these values forward into his
leadership on the Council if elected.
To engage with Dr Kerridge’s campaign, please visit: ournewcastle.info
Below are a few of Dr Kerridge’s key priorities, if elected:
• Working collaboratively and respectfully with all twelve Councillors and building a culture of
respect and cooperation.
• Building a Council that works efficiently and effectively to serve all of our community.
• Stop the waste and encourage the council to focus on service delivery - not for glamour
projects costing millions but delivering essential projects that benefit the whole community.
• Fixing the culture at Council. I will prohibit dodgy appointments so that important council
positions are not filled by mates but by the best people this community has to offer.
• Ending the privatisation obsession and minimising use of consultants and external
services - Let’s bring basic council services back in house.
• Ensuring that the Council plays a key role in bringing the community together by providing
services, facilities, sporting and cultural events for all to enjoy fairly, equally and together.
• Ensuring actual community consultation is conducted. Currently residents are not
respected, and ratepayers are rarely listened to
• Not misusing election as your Lord Mayor as a self-serving stepping-stone to become the
next Premier or Prime Minister. “My focus is on good Local Government, not state and
federal politics.”
Quotes attributable to Dr Ross Kerridge, Candidate for Lord Mayor
“I’m determined to bring honesty, integrity and transparency back to Newcastle Council. We’ve
seen far too many scandals play out over the last decade, from the sell off of the Roundhouse
administration building and the nonsensical leasing of the Stewart Avenue site to the privatisation
of the inland pools and the attacking of State MP’s
“I believe that the ratepayers of Newcastle are seeking change, they want to see leadership in our
council that brings the community together, not divides it. Community groups, small businesses
and ratepayers are all desperate for sensible policies and expenditure of ratepayer’s funds.
“If I’m elected Lord Mayor, my focus will be on ensuring all of our suburbs have basic services like
footpaths and decent roads rather than prioritising skateparks on the beach or having dozens of
media and comms staff”
Dr Ross Kerridge
for
OUR NEWCASTLE
Community. People. Respect.