Over the past month, we've learned more about the makeup of the forces vying for Melbourne City Hall in October's Melbourne City Election. Here's a snapshot…
two front runners
Mayor Nicholas Reese announced his candidacy for the city's top job shortly after taking office in July, announcing a campaign backed by a pledge to “do a good job.”
Following this, he announced the appointment of Liberal MP and current city councilor Roshena Campbell as vice-president. Who will be in charge of Team Reece's council ticket remained unconfirmed at the time of publication, but it is understood that long-serving Cr Kevin Louey will be given the number one spot, which is likely Meaning he has a good chance of serving a fifth consecutive term on City Council – 20 years to be exact.
Cr Rees' main opponent, former deputy mayor Aaron Wood, who served alongside Rees as a member of Team Doyle in the 2016 election campaign, also announced his candidacy for mayor in late July. did.
Then, on August 11, Wood announced that he would be hiring swimwear entrepreneur Erin Dearing as his running partner. Despite being new to politics, he is considered to have a “unique ability to innovate and lead on a global scale.”
Cr Reece's campaign has previously included lighting up Melbourne's alleys, the Melbourne 3000 Board, free swimming lessons for beginners and the “largest renewable electricity purchase scheme in Australian history”.
Meanwhile, Mr Wood will implement a zero per cent fee freeze, reduce the cost of annual parking permits, establish a comprehensive program to tackle graffiti and make Melbourne Australia's 'Christmas capital'. I swore.
smoky
Current independent councilor Jamal Hakim, who announced his candidacy in North Melbourne in early August, has proven to be an influential contributor in his first term.
Cr Hakim has a habit of engaging every corner of the community, and said Team Hakim would “shape a future for Melbourne that puts people before politics” and is “a democratic, welcoming and prosperous city”. I promised that I would watch over him.
While the weight of Melbourne's gerrymandering, which gives each business two votes for every one vote of residents, will pose a challenge for Team Hakim, preference will be key in who will wear the mayor's robes. .
Given the number of teams expected to make up this year's field, it wouldn't be a shock if Cr Hakim emerges as a front-runner in October, depending on your preferred flow (particularly the more progressive ticket) .
rest
The Green Party has announced Roxanne Ingleton and Marley MacRae-McLeod as mayoral and deputy mayoral candidates, but the big question is who will stand for the party's first two council positions.
The Green Party has so far donated two council seats to Melbourne, which are likely to be filled by incumbent Dr Olivia Ball and newcomer Carl Hessian from West Melbourne. Rohan Reppert, a three-term City Council member and Kensington resident, will not be up for re-election in October.
Labor also announced its team in Kensington on August 10, once again led by Lord Mayor candidate and East Melbourne resident Phil Reid. But again, expect Cr David Griffiths (pictured below with his family) to return to council in the number one spot on the council ticket.
The Green Party has been notoriously strong in recent Melbourne city elections, but after Nicholas Rees (a Labor member running as an independent) chose Liberal Party member Roshena Campbell as his running mate. It will be interesting to see who Labor prioritizes. The move has not been well received by either Labor or the Liberal Party.
What's even more interesting is that for the first time in history, the Liberal Party is backing a Melbourne City Council team, with East Melbourne resident and former federal candidate for McNamara, Owen Guest, thought to fill the first place on City Council. That is what it means.
That's why pollster Gary Morgan has run for mayor in the past few elections, primarily trying to get councilors elected (rumor has it that this person is West Melbourne resident Mary・Mr. Masters) exists to give priority to their preferred mayoral candidates. Last time it was Sally Cap.
As always, debate swirls around the resident-led ticket, with former Carlton football great Anthony Koutafides announcing his candidacy for mayor and former federal Liberal MP Gladys Lieu joining the ticket number. won the number one spot.
Some reports have linked Team Kouta to the Liberal Party, but some have speculated that it may actually be a feeder ticket for Cr Reece. Cr Reece is a keen Carlton fan and recently posted a selfie with Koutafides at the MCG.
As for the remaining councilors who have not publicly announced their intentions, Cr Phil Le Rue is understood to be running on the ticket of Aaron Wood, while Cr Elizabeth Dodge will primarily be running on the CFMEU ticket in 2020. won the position on a ticket supported by For obvious reasons, it seems unlikely that she will return to parliament.
This earns manager Aaron Wood the right to his 2020 ticket, and CR Jason, who is part-time contributor to the council due to operational constraints at his business Caria, which went into liquidation earlier this year. Chan will remain. On August 13, he confirmed that his current term would be his last.
As in previous elections, Hyperlocal News (publisher of CBD News) will host a donation registry on its website and invites all candidates to declare their contributions during the election period. •
