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Michael Regan (Australian politician)

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For other people named Michael Regan, see Michael Regan (disambiguation).

Michael Regan
MP
Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for Wakehurst
Incumbent
Assumed office
25 March 2023
Preceded byBrad Hazzard
Councillor of Northern Beaches Council
Incumbent
Assumed office
9 September 2017
ConstituencyCurl Curl Ward (2017–2021)
Frenchs Forest Ward (2021–present)
1st Mayor of Northern Beaches Council
In office
26 September 2017 – 16 May 2023
Deputy
See list
  • Candy Bingham
    Sue Heins
    Candy Bingham
    Sue Heins
Preceded byDick Persson (Administrator)
Succeeded bySue Heins
41st Mayor of Warringah Council
In office
13 September 2008 – 12 May 2016
Deputy
See list
Preceded byDick Persson (administrator)
Succeeded byCouncil abolished
Personal details
Born1973
Auburn, Sydney, Australia
Political partyIndependent
Other political
affiliations		Wake Up Warringah (2008–2012)
Your Warringah (2012–2017)
Your Northern Beaches Independent Team (2017–present)
ResidenceDee Why[1]
EducationHolroyd High School
Meadowbank TAFE College
ProfessionPublic servant

Michael John Regan (born 1973) is an Australian politician and former public servant. He was mayor of Warringah Council from 13 September 2008 to May 2016 following its amalgamation into the Northern Beaches Council. In September 2017, Regan was elected as the first Mayor of Northern Beaches Council, holding office until May 2023. At the March 2023 state election, Regan was elected to the NSW Legislative Assembly seat of Wakehurst, which covers a large portion of the area of Northern Beaches Council.

Early life and career

[edit]

Regan grew up in Western Sydney, born at Auburn Hospital in 1973 and spending his early years in Merrylands and Greystanes.[2] After leaving Holroyd High School in year 11, Regan first worked as a check-out assistant and later a trainee store manager for Kmart Australia.[2] In 1990, Regan took up as position at the City of Sydney as a clerk in the Engineer's Department, before leaving the council as Street Cleansing and Waste Manager in 2001.[2][3] He also worked as Cleaning Manager for Telstra Stadium, Team Leader Customer Service at Lane Cove Council and then as a manager for Manly Council from 2005 to 2009.[citation needed]

Mayor of Warringah

[edit]
Wake Up Warringah/Your Warringah Party
Warringah Council seats
2008 Election
4 / 10
2012 Election
6 / 10

Regan was elected as mayor at the election on 13 September 2008 with 19.6% of the vote which meant that his ticket votes in C Ward flowed on to elect a councillor, while Wake Up Warringah candidates won a seat on A Ward and B Ward.[4] Regan's main platform for election was to run "Council as a ‘Board of Directors’" to expunge the council's previous reputation for infighting and to encourage the better management of council.[5] In August 2012, Regan and his wife Bronwen, gained attention over a council code-of-conduct matter where a fellow councillor had launched into a tirade at the mayoress in the councillors lounge in the Civic Centre following a council meeting.[6]

At the 2012 New South Wales local elections, Regan stood again for mayor and C Ward Councillor under the newly renamed "Your Warringah" ticket. Regan was re-elected as mayor with 56.3% of the vote and his ticket in C Ward took 60% of the vote, enough to elect two councillors on his personal ticket. Your Warringah candidates also took two seats in A Ward and one seat in B Ward to make six seats for his party on the council.[7][8]

In March 2014, Regan's administration of council was criticised for maintaining a $1.7 million council car budget which included a Jaguar XF as the mayoral car, while requesting a 24 per-cent rate rise over four years.[9] October 2014, Regan replaced this car with an eco-friendly Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.[10] In June 2014, the Independent and Regulatory Pricing Tribunal (IPART) rejected the requested special rate variation of 26.2%, but permitted an increase of 19.7%.[11]

In December 2014, Regan led a push within council to pass a motion to support a merger proposal of Warringah with Pittwater and Manly Councils to form a Northern Beaches council: "It would mean better value for rate payers and better ability to plan for the entire region. Concerns about loss of local representation are a red herring – as this can be maintained, and even increased, depending on the governance model that is adopted. I call upon our neighbours to support the recommendation for the creation of a new northern beaches council for our community."[12]

In March 2015, Regan passed through a proposal in the council to lease council land at Dee Why for affordable housing, despite a staff report that noted that it would not provide the best financial return. Regan argued that it was intended to be provided for nurses, teachers and police who often had large commuting times to the region as they could not afford to live in the area, and that the social benefits could not be underestimated.[13] In October 2015, Warringah Council was awarded by Local Government NSW the A. R. Bluett Memorial Award, which recognises the best-performing council in the state, an acknowledgment of the work of the council under Regan and council staff: "Warringah Council’s submission highlights included excellent infrastructure renewal programs, high resident satisfaction, a sound financial position, a range of organisational improvements, staff engagement and professional development, collaboration with community groups and other organisations, an active youth program, art and cultural projects, environmental and planning initiatives, and specific community infrastructure such as the Narrabeen Lagoon Trail, Collaroy All Abilities Playground and Forestville Sporting Facilities."[14]

Northern Beaches Council

[edit]
Your Northern Beaches Independent Team
Council seats
2017 Election
6 / 15
2021 Election
6 / 15

On 12 May 2016, with the release of the Local Government (Council Amalgamations) Proclamation 2016, the Northern Beaches Council was formed as per Warringah's submission, from Manly, Pittwater and Warringah councils.[15] At the first meeting of the new council at Manly Town Hall on 19 May, Regan was appointed, with Manly mayor Jean Hay and Pittwater Deputy Mayor Kylie Ferguson, by Administrator Dick Persson as a member of the Implementation Advisory Group, one of several advisory committees composed of former councillors and mayors of the three councils, and as Chair of the Economic Committee.[16]

In early 2017, Regan announced that he had registered a successor to his "Your Warringah" team in anticipation of running for the council elections scheduled for September 2017. The "Your Northern Beaches Independent Team" would field 15 candidates, with Regan expressing interest in serving as mayor. Regan has supported changing the mayoral position to a directly elected one, following the system when he was Warringah mayor.[17] At the council election on 9 September 2017, Regan was elected in the first position as a Councillor for Curl Curl Ward, while five other Your Northern Beaches councillors were elected including former deputy Roslyn Harrison in Frenchs Forest Ward, whose personal vote was enough to elect a second councillor, Penny Philpott, former deputy Sue Heins in Narrabeen Ward, former Pittwater Deputy Mayor Ian White in Pittwater Ward, and Sarah Grattan in Manly Ward.[18][19] The campaign leading up to the election was marked by several attempts by the Liberal Party to smear independent candidates, which Regan labelled "gutter politics": "It is a sad day when they try to bring this into a local government election. Frankly, the community is over negative politics, which is why they are unresponsive to politicians in general. It is not parliament. There is no opposition leader. We are supposed to be here for the community."[20]

At the council meeting held at Dee Why Civic Centre on 26 September 2017, Regan was elected as the first Mayor of Northern Beaches Council for a two-year term, alongside Deputy Mayor Candy Bingham.[21][22] He was re-elected for a second term on 24 September 2019 and a third term on 28 September 2021.[23][24] From October 2017 to October 2019, Regan was a Board Director of Local Government NSW.[25]

At the second Northern Beaches Council election held on 4 December 2021, the Your Northern Beaches Independent Team ran a full list of candidates, with Regan moving ward from Curl Curl to Frenchs Forest Ward. Regan and the Your Northern Beaches Independent Team successfully defended all six incumbent seats at the election with a swing of +1.4%.[26][27] In October 2022, Northern Beaches Council was awarded the A. R. Bluett Memorial Award by Local Government NSW, which recognises the best-performing councils in the state in the previous year, with Regan noting: "Since amalgamation we have had a huge focus on repairing and renewing ailing infrastructure, delivering long term financial stability and putting the community at the centre of everything we do. It hasn’t been easy but this award recognises the hard work and dedication of both the elected Council and our incredible staff to deliver great outcomes for our community." The chair of the award trustees, Les McMahon, also noted that the Council had "led its community through a number of challenges including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and unprecedented wet weather events. Despite the challenges, Northern Beaches Council was still able to deliver a $76 million capital works program, with a focus on resilient and sustainable infrastructure, while also undertaking a comprehensive community services program to assist all members of its community".[28][29]

State politics

[edit]

In January 2023, Regan announced that he would run as an Independent candidate for the NSW Legislative Assembly seat of Wakehurst at the March 2023 state election, which was a safe Liberal seat held by the retiring Minister for Health, Brad Hazzard, since 1991.[30][31][32] Regan noted that the decision of the NSW Government-appointed planning panel to approve a planning proposal for a large 450-dwelling residential subdivision in an area of native bushland known as "Lizard Rock" in Belrose, despite the loss of native bushland and housing development in a bushfire-prone area that it represented, encouraged him to stand on a platform that included advocating for sustainable development.[33][34]

On 25 March 2023, Regan was successful in his campaign to win the seat, gaining a 2CP swing of 27.2%, becoming only the second non-Liberal and the first independent candidate to win the seat.[35][36][37] On his election, Regan announced that he would advocate for "gambling reform, integrity in politics and rebates for solar panels, as well as issues that were close to the hearts of his constituents on the Northern Beaches: roads, buses and the mental health services at Northern Beaches Hospital."[38] He delivered his inaugural speech as an MP on 10 May 2023.[2]

As an elected member of parliament, Regan is permitted to retain his offices as mayor and councillor of Northern Beaches Council "for the balance of the person’s term of office as a councillor or for the period of 2 years (whichever is the shorter period)" in accordance with Section 275(5) of the Local Government Act, 1993, a requirement which came into effect following the passage of the Local Government Amendment (Members of Parliament) Act, 2012.[39][40] On 16 May 2023, Regan resigned as mayor, but announced his intention to remain as a councillor for the rest of the Council term.[41][42][43]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Candidates – The Legislative Assembly District of Wakehurst". Elections NSW. New South Wales Electoral Commission. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d "Regan delivers inaugural speech". Northern Beaches Advocate. 11 May 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  3. ^ "Michael Regan, Mayor Northern Beaches Councill". Local Government Focus. May 2019. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  4. ^ Green, Antony. "Warringah Council". 2008 NSW Local Council Elections. ABC Elections. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  5. ^ "Policies". Wake Up Warringah. 2008. Archived from the original on 8 September 2008. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  6. ^ Townsend, Lucas (12 August 2012). "Private feud costs public at Warringah". The Sunday Telegraph. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  7. ^ Green, Antony. "Warringah Council". 2012 NSW Local Council Elections. ABC Elections. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  8. ^ "Regan romps home with at least six seats". The Manly Daily. 10 September 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  9. ^ Wood, Alicia (15 March 2014). "Warringah mayor Michael Regan's Jaguar is part of the $1.7 million spent by the council on staff cars in the past financial year". The Sunday Telegraph. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  10. ^ Deare, Steven (2 October 2014). "Electric car Mitsubishi Outlander replaces Warringah Mayor Michael Regan's Jaguar". The Manly Daily. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  11. ^ Sheather, Julie (3 June 2014), Warringah Council's Special Rate Variation Partially Approved, https://www.ipart.nsw.gov.au/files/sharedassets/website/trimholdingbay/media_release_-_ipart_determines_special_rate_variation_application_by_warringah_council_-_3_june_2014.pdf
  12. ^ Wicks, Kathryn (17 December 2014). "Council mergers: Warringah wants to join Pittwater, Manly to form Northern Beaches council". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  13. ^ Deare, Steven (23 March 2015). "Warringah Mayor Michael Regan to defy Warringah Council staff on affordable housing at Dee Why". The Manly Daily. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  14. ^ "Warringah Council takes out prestigious award" (Media Release). Local Government NSW. 13 October 2015. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  15. ^ "Page 25 Local Government (Council Amalgamations) Proclamation 2016 [NSW] – Schedule 13 – Provisions for Northern Beaches Council" (PDF). Parliament of New South Wales. 2012. p. 25. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  16. ^ Morcombe, John (20 May 2016). "Former councillors to return in advisory capacity". The Manly Daily.
  17. ^ Patterson, Robbie (20 January 2017). "Former Warringah mayor Michael Regan starts Your Northern Beaches party ahead of council elections". The Manly Daily. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  18. ^ Swain, Sarah; Patterson, Robbie (10 September 2017). "Michael Regan's Your Northern Beaches and Libs sweep to victory in Northern Beaches Election". Manly Daily. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
  19. ^ Patterson, Robbie (19 September 2017). "Northern Beaches Council election results: Independents claim majority of seats". Manly Daily. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
  20. ^ Patterson, Robbie (11 September 2017). "Libs accused of 'smear campaign' on the eve of the Northern Beaches Council election". Manly Daily. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
  21. ^ "Michael Regan Elected New Mayor of Northern Beaches Council" (Media Release). Northern Beaches Council. 27 September 2017. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
  22. ^ Patterson, Robbie (28 September 2017). "New Northern Beaches mayor focused on infrastructure projects". Manly Daily. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
  23. ^ "Council elects Mayor and Deputy Mayor". Northern Beaches Council. 25 September 2019. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  24. ^ "Mayor Regan re-elected till Council elections in December" (Media Release). Northern Beaches Council. 29 September 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  25. ^ "Cr Michael Regan". LGNSW Board. Local Government NSW. Archived from the original on 5 March 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  26. ^ Green, Antony. "Northern Beaches". 2021 NSW Local Government Elections. ABC News. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  27. ^ Morton, Nadine (21 December 2021). "Northern Beaches councillors elected for new term". Northern Beaches Review. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  28. ^ "Mid-Western and Northern Beaches councils win prestigious local government awards" (Media Release). Local Government NSW. 24 October 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  29. ^ "Northern Beaches Council awarded highest local government accolade" (Media Release). Northern Beaches Council. 24 October 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  30. ^ Kidd, Jessica (27 January 2023). "Northern Beaches mayor contests safe Liberal seat of Wakehurst in upcoming NSW election". ABC News. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  31. ^ Costin, Luke (27 January 2023). "Mayor runs for Liberal Sydney stronghold". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  32. ^ Smee, Kim (27 January 2023). "Who will win Wakehurst? Mayor Regan enters race". Manly Observer. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  33. ^ "Lizard Rock shock approval". Northern Beaches Advocate. 23 December 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  34. ^ "Regan declares for Wakehurst". Northern Beaches Advocate. 29 January 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  35. ^ "NSW Votes – Wakehurst – NSW Election 2023". ABC News. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  36. ^ Smart, Alec (26 March 2023). "Mayor Regan makes history as Wakehurst MP after successful campaign". Manly Observer. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  37. ^ Ward, Mary (25 March 2023). "Independent wins Wakehurst, teals optimistic as vote count adjourned". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  38. ^ Davies, Anne (25 March 2023). "Northern beaches seat of Wakehurst falls to independent, but Liberals hold on in Manly and Lane Cove". The Guardian Australia. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  39. ^ "Local Government Act 1993 No 30". legislation.nsw.gov.au. NSW Government. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  40. ^ "Local Government Amendment (Members of Parliament) Act 2012 No 22". legislation.nsw.gov.au. NSW Government. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  41. ^ "New Mayor elected". Northern Beaches Advocate. 16 May 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  42. ^ "MAYORAL MINUTE NO 3/2023 – MAYOR, MICHAEL REGAN, MP FOR WAKEHURST – RESIGNATION FROM THE OFFICE OF MAYOR" (PDF). Northern Beaches Council. 16 May 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  43. ^ "Michael Regan to resign as Mayor of Northern Beaches" (Media Release). Northern Beaches Council. 4 May 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
[edit]
Civic offices
Preceded byas Administrator Mayor of Warringah Council
2008–2016 		Council abolished
Preceded byas Administrator Mayor of Northern Beaches Council
2017–2023 		Succeeded by
Sue Heins
New South Wales Legislative Assembly
Preceded by Member for Wakehurst
2023–present 		Incumbent
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