By PAUL MILLAR
FEDERAL Corio MP Richard Marles has remained mute about an emerging threat to his seat from Geelong mayor Darryn Lyons.
A mystery telephone poll is being used as a litmus test to determine whether Cr Lyons would have any chance of wrestling the federal Labor stronghold from Mr Marles.
While the member for Corio went for “no comment” others said “no chance” on surrendering the seat and the mayor had “no idea” who ran the poll.
Yet there certainly was a poll in Labor’s heartland and it caused a rush of blood to the head when a union stalwart heard the recorded message on his telephone.
John Kattwinkel, from Herne Hill, said he was quizzed on the performance of politicians from both sides of the spectrum.
“Then they asked me how I thought (the Federal member for Corio) Richard Marles was performing and I gave him five out of five,” the Labor supporter said.
“Then they asked me if the mayor was doing a good job … and the next thing is they want to know whether Darryn Lyons would be a good selection as the next federal member for Corio,” Mr Kattwinkel said.
“They are testing the water to see what sort of response they would get but they will not take back Corio,” he told the Independent.
The response from the Labor Party cardholder was chilly but a local Liberal powerbroker said that it was becoming obvious that the ALP was getting “nervous” about an electorate that it had regarded as a safe bet.
The Liberal Party would need a 7.7per cent swing to take over the seat.
A state Liberal Party spokeswoman would not comment on the phone survey. The mayor strenuously denied any knowledge of the survey.
“I know nothing about it and why it is being done, or who is doing it, I’m just getting on with doing my job as the mayor of Geelong and I am totally focused on that,” he said.
“I’m not being drawn on something that I know absolutely nothing about,” Cr Lyons said.
A spokeswoman for Mr Marles said he did not wish to comment.
