City of Greater Shepparton Deputy Mayor Anthony Brophy re-elected

Now at full strength following the election of Cr Ben Ladson through countback, the vote came to 4-5 in favour of Cr Brophy.

Mayor Shane Sali and councillors Brophy, Ladson, Greg James and Geoff Dobson voted for Cr Brophy, while councillors Spinks, Dinny Adem, Seema Abdullah and Fern Summer voted for Cr Spinks.

Both nominees made a final pitch to their fellow councillors on why they should be the one to join Cr Sali in leading Greater Shepparton.

Cr Spinks said her capacity and capability had been questioned during the four months since the first vote for deputy mayor.

“A narrative has been created that undermines my ability to do the role; to that I say, how dare you,” she said.

“How dare you make this so much harder for me simply because of my gender and personal circumstances.”

Cr Spinks said she was willing and able and wanted the opportunity she said others had, to hold a leadership role despite having no previous experience while on council.

In his pitch, Cr Brophy said there had not been any animosity during the process, just “healthy, political competitiveness”.

Speaking to the News after the vote, Cr Brophy said election processes were difficult for all councillors.

“When you come on council everyone has ambitions to be a leader; ultimately there can only be one mayor and one deputy at any one time,” he said.

“Cr Spinks is an outstanding councillor and outstanding person and her time in terms of leadership I’m sure will not be far away.

“There’s been no tactics, it’s all been really positive in what aspirations each person put up to be a leader.”

Cr Brophy will begin his second term as deputy mayor with the role up for election again around October this year.

He said he was “deeply honoured and privileged” for the opportunity and thanked those who supported him.