The Thousands

Two middle-aged women in the race for Perth’s top job! Could there be a more exciting debate for us all to keep abreast of at the moment? Actually, yes! The two middle-aged women in the race for the Town of Vincent’s top job! For the moment though, the Bontempo v Scaffidi nails-out is worth grabbing a spot on the sidelines for – start by re-streaming the ABC720 Mayoral Debate.

Anne Bontempo has enlisted the help of The Brand Agency for her campaign, and got some gnarly shots of herself with bona-fide Perth teen-rats in the background. That’s because she wants to build the world’s largest skate park here in Perth! She also wants to build a giant pool over the Swan river (jellyfish stings are a downer). Despite her formidable wealth, Bontempo assured us on 720 that she is down to earth, and is involved with Perth’s homeless: she often has to deal with them sleeping on the front steps of her Gucci shop.

Lisa Scaffidi reckons Bontempo didn’t look her in the eye for the whole debate (phwoar!) and drew attention to Bontempo’s inexperience in Council. For sure, Bontempo’s not used to the limelight – a simple local radio interview proving somewhat of an ordeal (“I’m not used to speaking with the headphones on”). Could you really see Bontempo striding up to a bunch of vandals in a leopard print skirt and telling them to “get a life”?

The incumbent, who is maybe a little too keen on the champagne bashes and has been accused of racking up some serious hair salon bills, was her cool cat self during the debate: wouldn’t be surprised if she multi-tasked by checking her Facebook on her iPhone (word on the street is that she replies to everyone who writes on her FB wall and has a 24 hour email turnaround).

Whether it’s Bontempo or Scaffidi that ends up rotating the Linneys with the livery, we can be thankful it will be a woman, and not a crazy old man, ruling the roost.