The following post appeared recently announcing Magee’s decision not to stand for the 2024 council elections. See: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7163721229558800384/
We have copied the post below –
After almost 16 wonderful years as Councillor for Tucker Ward in the City of Glen Eira, I have decided not to contest the 2024 local government election.
Those who know me will know that I have always been a great believer in renewal. In any democracy, it’s important to have new faces representing the rich diversity of their communities. Now is the time for someone new to take on this important role. I will remain a Councillor until the next election in October.
It has been an absolute honour and privilege to represent the people of Tucker ward, as well as to serve as Mayor for three terms and Deputy Mayor for two terms.
I am and always will be a fierce advocate for local government. Councils are the closest level of government to the people. While we have the smallest budgets,3% off all taxes are collected by councils we are responsible for one thread off our country’s infrastructure, we arguably have the greatest responsibility to provide services and infrastructure which meaningfully touch everyday lives in our communities. We build community wellbeing and social cohesion, plan for the future, and build and maintain billions of dollars of infrastructure for our communities.
We responded to real and emerging challenges — confronting the long-term sustainability of the councils, shrinking revenue, increasing cost shifting from other levels of government, and rising community expectations. These conversations have a long way to go, but I am proud to have helped to spark them.
To have represented a City as liveable, welcoming and diverse Glen Eira — working alongside many other incredible Councillors — has been a privilege I will never forget. Every day, I worked to do what I could to make Glen Eira an even better place to live, work, study and play.
Thank you to the people of Tucker Ward for this incredible honour. Thank you to the many Councillors and officers who have supported me and my work. And thank you most of all to my wife Claire, and sons Daniel and Joe for your love and support. I couldn’t have done it without you.
I am looking forward to the next chapter and exploring what the future holds.
February 19, 2024 at 12:44 PM
Good ridance. 16 years too long
February 19, 2024 at 2:06 PM
A welcome bit of news. Since becoming mayor Magee has repeatedly used his casting vote to introduce major planning changes that will impact Glen Eira for decades. Even before his last few stints as mayor, Magee did everything he could to halt the introduction of the tree register, webcasting of council meetings, and the worst, introducing the 2013 residential zones in secret. By leaving, he is granting residents the greatest gift! I regret that it has taken him so long to say goodbye.
February 19, 2024 at 3:13 PM
I wonder if the recent changes gazetted under the euphemism “Electoral Review” have played a role in the decision–I’ve heard other councillors indicate their decision whether to stand again would depend on the outcome.
February 19, 2024 at 11:22 PM
16 years and he believes in renewal. Totally twisted.