About Zann
Deputy Lord Mayor of Sydney
“I think Sydney has everything it needs to be one of the great cities of the world. I want us to realise that potential by making our city more affordable, more fun, and by getting the basics right.”
I want Sydney to be a city that also works for people who don’t have wealth and connections. A city where workers can get ahead, artists can create, and renters can put down roots.
I was born on Lord Howe Island. I raised by a single mum and we lived in public housing. Money was tight and life wasn’t always easy, but it was safe, loving, and full of lessons I’ve carried with me ever since: resilience, fairness, and the belief that education is the key to opportunity.
Thanks to interest-free student loans, I became the first in my family to go to university. I earned a BA and a law degree, and went on to work across public policy, corporate affairs, and politics—focusing on climate action, financial regulation, and tech for disability support. I’ve been an adviser to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Senator Kristina Keneally, and former Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.
I’m also an executive member of Rainbow Labor NSW, campaigning for LGBTIQA+ rights within the Labor Party and across the broader political system.
In 2024, I was elected to the City of Sydney Council as Deputy Lord Mayor. I’m also the deputy chair the Equity and Housing Committee and sit on the Central Sydney Planning Committee.
Since taking office, I’ve worked to deliver on what I ran on by:
Increasing developer contributions to grow affordable and diverse housing;
Rolling out Special Entertainment Precincts to revive Sydney’s nightlife and live performance scene;
Developing a new insourcing framework to improve how Council services are delivered.
As a renter for almost 20 years, a gay man, and someone who grew up relying on public services, I understand of how public policy can shape people’s lives—and how much it matters when we get it right.
While we need to get the basics right, I still see local government as more than roads, rates and rubbish. It’s where we can show what’s possible—on housing, equity, and community. This isn’t just about fixing problems. It’s about showing that Sydney can be a global leader in urban fairness, creativity, and climate-ready living.
I’m not interested in performative politics. I believe in doing the work—understanding systems, shifting power, and making the city function for people who’ve been left behind.