Former Weekend Sunrise host and AFL commentator Basil Zempilas elected Lord Mayor of Perth

Former Weekend Sunrise star Basil Zempilas has been elected the new Lord Mayor of Perth.

The TV and radio personality beat his main competitor, former ABC journalist Di Bain, by 284 votes to claim victory at Council House, Perth on Saturday evening.

‘Perth has given my family wonderful opportunity, and it has given me wonderful opportunity, and it’s the same opportunity that Perth can provide for all of its citizens, the 49-year-old said in his victory speech.  

Zempilas passionately continued: ‘Now the job for us is to get busy and to do our very, very best for ratepayers, for residents, for visitors and for those who choose to spend time in the City of Perth.

‘It is the best city in the world. We are wonderfully blessed to be its custodians for a short time, so let’s not waste that opportunity, let’s make the most of that opportunity,’ he added as wife Amy stood by his side.

Basil will continue his work commitments with 7NEWS but will relieve himself from his 6PR breakfast show hosting role.

After announcing his plans to run for Lord Mayor in July, Basil was charged with conflict of interest claims, with concerns he could use his media platform to promote his campaign. 

The TV host denied those claims, telling The Weekend Australian on Sunday that he plans to ‘play by the rules’. 

‘It would be an unfair advantage if I continually used it as a platform for my election, but that is not what I’m going to do,’ he said. 

‘Like everybody else is entitled to continue to work in their chosen professions if they stand for office, I think as long as I play fair and play by the rules, and the rules we set for ourselves, then in my mind it’s okay.’

Basil will continue working in his various media roles, including as a sports anchor on Seven, a morning radio show on 6PR and a column in The West Australian. 

Speaking of his commitment to the city, Basil told Perth Now previously: ‘I live in the city, work in the city and walk through the city every day and I, like all West Aussies, expect our capital to be safer, cleaner, cheaper, more accessible, more vibrant and friendlier.’ 

Basil is a famous face in West Australia, and in March 2018, he was co-host of Weekend Sunrise, replacing Andrew O’Keefe. 

In September 2019, he stepped down as regular host of Weekend Sunrise, however continued to appear as a fill-in presenter. 

The TV star is has been married to longtime girlfriend Amy Graham since 2009, with the pair tying the knot in Greece.  They share two daughters and a son.