A political stalemate in Wyndham City Council remains unresolved this morning, after a second attempt to elect a new mayor ended in a deadlocked chamber.
The vacancy follows the February suspension of former Mayor Josh Gilligan. Since then, Councillor Preet Singh has been serving as acting mayor, but a formal vote to fill the position for the remainder of the 2025-26 term has exposed deep divisions in the councillor group.
During Wednesday night’s session, the chamber split into two identical five-vote blocs. One group, led by Councillors Shannon McGuire and Mia Shaw, nominated Acting Mayor Preet Singh. The opposing faction, led by Robert Szatkowski and Jasmine Hill, put forward Councillor Peter Maynard.
After a ten-minute adjournment intended to break the impasse, a second vote yielded the exact same result: five to five.
The timing of the leadership vacuum is particularly sensitive as a state election approaches. Observers suggest that a fractured council may struggle to present a unified voice in its advocacy towards election candidates.
Councillors are scheduled to return for a third attempt to break the tie on Monday, March 23rd at 6:00 PM. Suspended councillor Josh Gilligan is not due back from his forced absence until 25th March.