Nuatali Josephine Nelmes is an Australian politician who served as Lord Mayor of Newcastle from a by-election in 2014 until her defeat at the 2024 local elections.
[9][10][11][12] She stood for the Senate in the unwinnable fifth position on the Labor ticket at the 2013 federal election, and nominated for preselection for the 2014 Newcastle state by-election, losing to fellow councillor Tim Crakanthorp.
Nelmes was again the Labor candidate at the resulting by-election, and was successful, receiving 42% of the vote to closest rival and conservative independent Brad Luke's 24%.
The expenses included charges for five-star hotel stays, room service, Wi-Fi, excess baggage, and miscellaneous items such as chewing gum and caramel slices.
Additionally, a 400-page expense report revealed further expenditures, including accommodation for singer Kamahl and purchases of "living" probiotic water.
[26] Following this criticism, Nelmes and all Labor councillors recused themselves from a confidential debate on awarding a management contract for the pools, citing conflicts of interest due to alleged pressure from an unnamed senior politician.
Consequently, Labor councillors voted to delegate responsibility of making pool tender decision to Jeremy Bath, the CEO of the City of Newcastle.
[5] In 2016, a council led by Nelmes, alongside support from Destination NSW, endorsed a proposal for a 3-day motor racing event to take place in Newcastle.
[29] As the initial five-year contract neared its end in 2023, the City of Newcastle commissioned a survey, revealing that 59% of residents opposed extending the event for another five years.
[30] Subsequently, the NSW Labor state government criticised the City of Newcastle for failing to act on a vote regarding the race's future.