MPs ‘split on mayor’

JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
LIBERAL MP Andrew Katos has used a seven-year-old speech to split Labor counterparts over plans for a directly elected mayor of Geelong.
Mr Katos said Member for Lara John Eren supported a directly elected mayor but Geelong’s Ian Trezise opposed the proposal.
Mr Katos cited a 2004 parliamentary speech in which Mr Eren called for an investigation into a directly elected mayor of Geelong.
“For seven years the Labor party’s representative in Lara has supported a directly elected mayor for Geelong and it’s about time the Member for Geelong gets up to speed as well.”
Mr Eren confirmed he supported a directly elected mayor.
“This is an important issue for Geelong, not to be taken lightly and requiring wide consultation. It’s the government that has the mandate on this because it went to the election committed to this policy.”
Mr Trezise accused Mr Katos of “putting up a smokescreen”.
“My position has always been that I do not support a directly elected mayor,” Mr Trezise said.
“It would cost $250,000 minimum to run a campaign and that would eliminate the vast majority of people from running. It would become the bastion of the rich and famous or political parties and as a former councillor I think that’s wrong.”