Fury over by-election snub as party jostles for council seat Liberal lashings

Alex de Vos
Liberal party in-fighting has erupted in by-election campaigning for a seat on Geelong’s council.
Party members have attacked Ron Nelson for preferencing candidates from other parties ahead of fellow Liberal Trish McClure in the Deakin ward by-election.
Mr Nelson, the president of the party’s Corio federal electorate team, has put the Highton mother last on his preferences, behind Labor’s Andy Richards, fourth, and Greens’ Bruce Lindsay, fifth.
Mr Nelson directed his third preferences to the by-election’s other Liberal candidate, Andrew Katos, behind independent Brandon Howard in second place.
Angelo Kakouros, a former Liberal candidate for state and federal elections, said he was “mortified” Mr Nelson had put Ms McClure last behind the party’s traditional foes and an independent.
“If I was running I would definitely place my fellow Liberals ahead of Labor,” Mr Kakouros said.
“I know council is independent but, unfortunately, if you’re a member of a political party then you’re a member – I don’t think the Geelong community is that gullible.
“I’m mortified with the situation. I’m a strong believer we should support each other.”
Ms McClure believed that Mr Nelson’s preferences suggested he was desperate to use council as a stepping stone to state or federal politics.
“I worry that perhaps people (other candidates) have their hearts elsewhere.”
Ms McClure said Mr Nelson had told her she was last on his preference list because she was a “threat” to his campaign.
“I found it quite flattering.”
Ms McClure said she had no political aspirations other than council.
“State and federal politics take up a lot of time and I have a seven-month-old baby.
“I can see my way clear to do community work and council is where I want to be.”
Mr Nelson denied he was attempting to use council to reach other levels of government.
He said politics had no role in his candidacy.
“I’m not funded by any political party and I’m not in it for any political aspirations.”
Mr Nelson said he distributed his preferences based “solely” on candidates’ policies.
“I voted on the issues that are important to the community,” Mr Nelson said.
“Trish is new to the area and listed one of her policies as hard-litter collections. Although that’s an important issue, it’s not the most important.”
Mr Nelson has joined Andy Richards to put childcare at the top of his council priorities.
Mr Nelson did not want his Liberal links revealed.
“Don’t you dare put that in,” he told the Independent.
“I’m running this campaign solely on the issues that affect me and my family.”
An April newsletter for the Corio Liberal team included a promise from Mr Nelson to support candidates and the party’s MPs.
He denied knowledge of the newsletter.
“How did you get that? I don’t even know about it.”
Victorian Electoral Commis-sion will post ballot packs on Tuesday. Votes must be returned to the commission by 6pm on May 2.