Craig Kelly (Hughes, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to congratulate my good friend Ned Mannoun, who less than three hours ago was officially declared the new Mayor of Liverpool. Liverpool is our fourth oldest settlement after Sydney, Parramatta and Hobart, and Liverpool used to be Labor central. It was previously the home to both Gough Whitlam and Mark Latham, but no longer. Now Ned becomes the first ever Liberal elected mayor, with a 23 per cent swing. Tonight the blue Liberal flag flies proudly over the city of Liverpool.

I look forward to working closely with Ned. We have a lot of work to do to revitalise Liverpool after decades of neglect by Labor. Ned will also be joined on the council by a strong team including re-elected councillors Tony Hadchiti and Maz Hadid, with new faces Peter Ristevski and Gus Balloot, while our fingers remain crossed for Sabrina Mamone and George Germanos.

I would also like to congratulate my old rugby team, Southern Districts, who after their 41-22 victory over Manly last weekend will for the first time in the club's 23-year history play in a first grade rugby grand final when they take on Sydney University at Concord Oval.    Although ex-Sydney University players, including the members for Warringah and North Sydney, will be cheering on University, the member for Cook and I will be in the grandstands supporting the Dists. Go the Dists!