Ross Kerridge Pledges Airport Board Salary Donation if Elected Lord Mayor

Dr. Ross Kerridge, a candidate for Lord Mayor of Newcastle, has announced his commitment to donate the director’s salary he would receive from the Newcastle Airport Board if elected. This decision is part of his broader pledge to enhance transparency and accountability within the Newcastle Council.

Dr. Kerridge highlighted the importance of redirecting the $50,000 salary, suggesting it should be donated to a deserving charity or reinvested into the council’s public works budget or a council-run grant program. He noted that the Mayor of Port Stephens already follows a similar practice, setting a precedent he believes Newcastle should emulate.

“I’m determined to bring honesty, integrity, and transparency back to Newcastle Council,” Dr. Kerridge stated. He expressed his disapproval of the 2019 decision by the current Lord Mayor, Nuatali Nelmes, to use her casting vote to appoint herself and General Manager Jeremy Bath to the Newcastle Airport Board. This move, according to Dr. Kerridge, allowed them to collect substantial directors’ fees, which he believes was not in the best interest of the community.

Dr. Kerridge emphasized that the appointment of the Lord Mayor to the board should be done by the elected council, ensuring that the process remains in the community’s best interest and avoids any potential conflicts of interest.

“This is a straightforward and simple step to restore trust in the City of Newcastle,” Dr. Kerridge concluded, underscoring the importance of his proposed actions as a means to rebuild public confidence in local governance.

If elected, Dr. Kerridge’s pledge to donate his Airport Board salary will serve as a tangible demonstration of his commitment to ethical leadership and community-focused decision-making.