Parramatta City Council elects youngest-ever lord mayor as Liberal councillor quits party

Parramatta City Council has elected its youngest-ever lord mayor the same day a Liberal councillor quit her party because it was becoming more anti-multiculturalism.

Labor councillor Cameron Maclean was elected to the position last night, with the deciding vote cast by Councillor Tanya Raffoul who announced her departure from her party on Monday morning.

The 28-year-old newly elected lord mayor told 702 ABC Sydney there was no deal made with Cr Raffoul.

"She really believes and sincerely believes that the Liberal Party is going the wrong direction, but it's really not for me to put words in Tanya's mouth," Cr Maclean said.

"I thank her for her support and her courage because … it's a big deal; it's a big move to resign from a political party and do something of this nature.

"So I thank her for her support, but there was no deal."

Cr Raffoul published a statement on social media saying the party's "growing policy and values alignment with a divisive political party, and its willingness to marginalise multicultural Australians, particularly across Western Sydney, is disappointing".

"Multicultural communities across Western Sydney are one of our greatest strengths, made up of proud Australians like me who deserve to be represented and respected," she said in the statement.

Cr Raffoul said she was not resigning and would continue to serve as a councillor for the Dundas ward.

Cr Maclean, who was first elected to council in 2021, replaces outgoing mayor Martin Zaiter, who had been in the role since 2024.

Independent councillor Kellie Darley was elected as deputy mayor at Monday night's meeting, just over a year after she won a court battle with the council after it censured her for publishing criticism of a million-dollar partnership with the Parramatta Eels.

Cr Darley pushed for more whistleblower protections in local government during the meeting.

The council has faced intense scrutiny this year in the Independent Commission Against Corruption's Operation Navarra, which investigated allegations about former CEO Gail Connolly.

The meeting heard from former head of IT at the council, John Crawford, who gave evidence at the public inquiry. He told last night's meeting he had faced retaliation after giving his evidence.

Cr Maclean told 702 ABC Sydney he was committed to greater transparency at the council.

"We have to make staff feel safe and valued within the organisation."

Cr Maclean will hold the position for two years, while Ms Darley will hold hers for one.