‘I’m considering it’: Jane Garrett eyes Melbourne Lord Mayor tilt

FIRST with NEIL MITCHELL

Former Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett has confirmed she is considering running for Lord Mayor of Melbourne.

Ms Garrett told Neil Mitchell she’s “having a really good think about it”.

“I’m certainly considering it, yes,” she said.

“It’s been raised by other people.”

Ms Garrett, currently Brunswick MP, won’t run for parliament in November.

Neil Mitchell: Does that mean you’ll either be Lord Mayor or out of public life?
Jane Garrett: Yes.

She’s no stranger to local politics, having served as Yarra mayor in 2009-2010.

“I loved that job, and I loved working for the local community, and delivering for the local community,” she said.

She listed crime and cleanliness as two “massive challenges” facing the next mayor, and emphasised the importance of maintaining Melbourne’s reputation as an international city.

“If I didn’t know better I’d say that sounded like a campaign speech.”
– Neil Mitchell

Click PLAY for the interview

Whether or not Jane Garrett runs, Neil Mitchell expects Melbourne’s next Lord Mayor to be a woman.

The men candidates so far — Gary Morgan, Phil Cleary and Oscar Yildiz — are out-numbered by high-profile list of potential women candidates, including Garrett, Anne Peacock, Sally Capp and Susan Alberti.

Neil Mitchell said he thinks Acting Lord Mayor Arron Wood is unlikely to run.

How the mayoral race is unfolding on 3AW

• First with Tom Elliott: Oscar Yildiz becomes first person to publicly throw hat in the ring
• First with Neil Mitchell: Anne Peacock considering her options
• First with Tom Elliott: Three-time bridesmaid confirms he’s running again