New Book Explores Council Sackings

26 March 2004

'Sacked: removing and remaking the Sydney City Council 1853 -1987'

On the eve of the local government elections, Lucy Turnbull, current City Commissioner and sacked Lord Mayor, will launch a new book; 'Sacked: removing and remaking the Sydney City Council 1853 -1987'.

The City of Sydney was first sacked in 1853. Back then the NSW Government said it was 'pernicious to the citizens'. It was sacked again in the 1920s, and they said it was a 'cauldron of corruption'.  In 1967 the Askin Liberal government accused the Labor party of running the Council as a closed shop and frustrating city development. They sacked it again. In 1987 the Unsworth Labor government returned the compliment.

Weaving through the story of these sackings are the endless changes to the city's boundaries, as amalgamations and de-amalgamations with neighbouring councils occurred with astounding regularity.

What is it about the City of Sydney that makes it so irresistible to the powers that be in Macquarie Street?

In a new book 'Sacked: removing and remaking the Sydney City Council 1853 -1987'  Dr Hilary Golder analyses the ebb and flow of city politics, and the ongoing tensions between Macquarie Street and Sydney Town Hall.

The book is published by the City of Sydney, and was commissioned by the former Lord Mayor Frank Sartor.

It will go on sale on Friday 26^th March at Abbey's Books, York Street; the State Library Bookshop, Macquarie Street;  Gleebooks, Glebe Point Road; the City of Sydney's One Stop Shop and Neighbourhood Service Centres and on line in the City Store at www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au