Southbanker Jannine Pattison joins Nick Reece’s team to “Get Good Done”

Founding member of local residents’ group Southbank3006 Jannine Pattison has joined incumbent Lord Mayor Nick Reece’s team contesting this year’s City of Melbourne elections.

Ms Pattison has become a well-known figure in Southbank having championed reform on a range of local issues affecting liveability and safety in the area and has led the much-loved annual “Southbank A Very Merry Friend-Mas” event.

Cr Reece said Ms Pattison’s “positive, solution-focused mindset had made her a driving force for change, rallying community support and bringing greater amenities to the area.”

While Ms Pattison is running in the number four councillor position on the Team Reece ticket and is therefore unlikely to be elected, Cr Reece is urging Southbankers to get behind the team’s message to “Get Good Done”.

Topping the Team Reece leadership ticket is his candidate for Deputy Lord Mayor, Liberal Party member, and fellow councillor, Roshena Campbell, who had already announced her candidacy back in July.

Cr Campbell served alongside Cr Reece as a councillor during the last term at the City of Melbourne as part of team of former Lord Mayor Sally Capp, who she opposed on a range of different issues.

While Cr Reece, a Labor Party member who is running as an independent at this election, also has differing views to Cr Campbell on several key issues, he has formed an unlikely alliance under a “unity ticket” at this election.

At the top of the team’s council ticket will be veteran councillor Kevin Louey whose influence within Melbourne’s Chinese business diaspora has seen him receive the number one spot under former Lord Mayors Robert Doyle and Sally Capp.

Regardless of whether Nick Reece wins the Lord Mayoralty, you can lock in Cr Louey to be returned for what would be a staggering fifth consecutive term since first being elected in 2008 – two decades as a councillor to be exact.

Team Reece’s all-important second councillor spot will be taken by Queen Victoria Market (QVM) trader and entrepreneur Mark Scott, who previously served as the market’s manager up until 2017.

Making up the rest of the team are digital entrepreneur and marketing expert Lisa Teh, who has switched allegiances having previously ran as Arron Wood’s candidate for Deputy Lord Mayor in the 2020 elections.

Beneath Ms Teh in the number four spot is Ms Pattison, followed by Carlton Public Housing Estates Residents’ Association leader Hamdi Ali.

Rounding off the Team Reece council ticket are Docklands resident and decorated athlete Sue Stanley, and passionate Kensington resident Simone Hartley-Keane, who will assume the sixth and seventh positions, respectively.

Cr Reece said he was “so proud” of the team that had been assembled, stating it was “chock full of experience, diversity and a deep commitment to serving the people of Melbourne”.

“Each member of the team brings unique strengths and perspectives, and a dedication to work hard every day to make the best city in the world even better and even fairer,” Cr Reece said.

Cr Campbell added that the team was “ready to work hard and help ensure Melbourne continues to thrive.”

“Team Reece is focused on delivering real results that benefit every Melburnian, from supporting local businesses and easing the cost of living, to helping address the housing crisis and making our city safer and cleaner,” Cr Campbell said.

Since officially announcing his candidacy for Lord Mayor back in July, Cr Reece has announced a significant number of policies for the city.

He has pledged to do everything in the council’s power to “turbo charge” the conversion of city offices to affordable homes with a series of practical changes, including slashing council rates for successful conversions.

As reported in a recent edition of sibling publication CBD News, Cr Reece also made headlines in September by announcing he would sell the council’s 51 per cent stake in the Regent Theatre on Collins St to help fund new creative spaces and establish a Melbourne Arts Future Fund.

Team Reece has also announced a suite of policies aimed at improving city safety and cleanliness, supporting small business and investment into the city and establishing Australia’s largest ever renewable energy purchasing plan.

Having served his apprenticeship as a councillor since 2016, as well as Deputy Lord Mayor under his predecessor Sally Capp since 2020, Cr Reece believes he’s well and truly up for the challenge of a full term in the City of Melbourne’s top job.

“Melbourne is the best and fairest city in the world, but we can’t rest on our laurels. We know other cities are stepping up their efforts and we need to do the same,” Cr Reece said.

“As Lord Mayor, I want to bring our city’s people together and work closely with our leaders so we can seize every opportunity for Melbourne in the years and decades ahead.” •