Melbourne mayor Robert Doyle has wed his long-time partner, Emma Page, in a “low-key” private ceremony in New York’s City Hall.
“We wanted to have a quiet and private ceremony, to combine holiday and honeymoon and come home married,” Doyle is reported as saying.
However, The Age newspaper reports that Shadow Minister for Tourism Justin Madden has questioned Robert’s decision to marry overseas, particularly on the verge of a $14 million State Government Melbourne tourism campaign.
‘‘I certainly wish them well, but there’s nothing like endorsing your own product,’’ said Mr Madden.
‘‘I’m sure there’s a remote and modest location in Melbourne or Victoria that would be equivalent if not better than anything you can find overseas.’’
This morning Cr Doyle told radio station 3AW that the couple married overseas because they wished to wed “away from all the fuss” and that “Things can become a bit of a circus here if you are in public life,” he told Radio 3AW this morning.
“We apologise to family and friends whom we haven’t had a chance to speak to yet but it will probably come as no surprise to anyone who knows us that we decided to get married on holiday in New York, our favourite city after Melbourne.
Doyle says his new wife, who will be known as The Lady Mayoress, wore a simple black and white silk dress and that “Emma looked beautiful and elegant … as usual.”
Robert, 58, met Emma, 36, in 2005 after being introduced by Jane Perton, ex-wife of former Liberal MP Victor Perton.
The couple intend to hold a private celebration in Melbourne later in the year to celebrate their nuptials with family and close friends.
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