Parramatta City Council has elected 28-year-old councillor Cameron Maclean as its youngest-ever Lord Mayor following a council meeting on Monday night.

Maclean, a Labor councillor who was first elected to Parramatta City Council in 2021, secured the mayoralty through a single deciding vote. The vote came from councillor Tanya Raffoul, who announced earlier on Monday that she had left the Liberal Party.

Independent councillor Kellie Darley was also elected deputy lord mayor during the meeting. Maclean will hold the mayoral position for two years, while Darley is scheduled to serve as deputy mayor for one year.

The result followed Raffoul's decision to leave the Liberal Party. In a statement explaining her departure, Raffoul referred to what she described as a growing alignment between the party and a political group she regarded as divisive, as well as concerns about the treatment of multicultural communities, particularly in Western Sydney.

Raffoul said she would remain a Parramatta councillor representing the Dundas ward. Her decision to leave the party changed the balance of votes during the mayoral election.

Maclean said there had been no agreement or deal with Raffoul before the vote. He thanked her for her support and described her decision to leave a political party as significant.

The newly elected mayor replaces Martin Zaiter, who had held the position since 2024. Maclean's election gives him responsibility for leading the council during a period of considerable attention on its governance and transparency.

Parramatta City Council has faced scrutiny this year in relation to an Independent Commission Against Corruption investigation known as Operation Navarra. The inquiry has examined allegations involving former council chief executive Gail Connolly.

During Monday night's meeting, former council IT head John Crawford spoke about his experience after providing evidence to the public inquiry. He told councillors he had faced what he described as retaliation after giving evidence.

Maclean said greater transparency would be an important focus during his time as lord mayor. He also said council employees should feel safe and valued within the organisation.

Darley, the newly elected deputy mayor, has previously been involved in a legal dispute with the council after being censured over criticism concerning a multimillion-dollar partnership involving the Parramatta Eels. She used Monday night's meeting to advocate for stronger whistleblower protections in local government.

The leadership change comes as Parramatta continues to manage rapid growth and a diverse population across Western Sydney. The council's new leadership team will now oversee local government decisions for the coming period.

Maclean's election is also notable because of his age. At 28, he becomes the youngest person to serve as Lord Mayor of Parramatta, marking a significant change in the council's leadership.

The new mayoral team will now begin its term with a focus on council governance, transparency and local issues affecting Parramatta residents.