One way to deal with cross-mandates in government

The Geelong Advertiser reports that a directly elected Mayor in Geelong is unlikely:

"BRUMBY Government Local Government Minister Richard Wynne has tried to shut down the push to get a directly elected mayor for Geelong. The Minister told a room full of city leaders yesterday that the push was not on the state's agenda despite a concerted effort by lobby groups such as the Committee for Geelong.

The Minister was asked by Committee for Geelong head Michael Betts whether the state would introduce an elected mayor to break a perceived power vacuum at City Hall. Mr Wynne said if the serving councillors wanted ``continuity with leadership'' they had the ability under the Local Government Act to select a mayor for two years.

Mayors in Geelong have traditionally been selected for one-year terms by fellow councillors. "And then if they are happy with the performance they can vote them in for another two years,'' he said."