Outsiders deny dummy target tag

Andrew Mathieson
CANDIDATES accused of running on a “dummy” council election ticket for a rival candidate have hit back at the claim.
Buckley ward candidates Fiona Lorimer and Sue Murphy have denied striking a preferences deal with Labor party member and unionist Andy Richards.
Buckley candidate Ron Nelson, a Liberal party member, alleged in last week’s Independent that Mr Richards lured Ms Lorimer, Ms Murphy and Maria Canadillas into Buckley ward to garner votes from preferences.
Mr Nelson said the four candidates were “showing contempt” for Buckley because they all lived outside the ward, which stretches from Barwon Heads to Grovedale and Waurn Ponds.
Mr Nelson believed the women’s preference directions proved they were stooges for Mr Richards.
Ms Lorimer and Ms Murphy said Mr Richards had not approached them about a votes deal before Victorian Electoral Commission’s deadline for candidates’ preferences last week.
They denied political affiliation with Mr Richards, the ALP or trade unions.
“I’m the biggest swinging voter you could meet,” Mrs Murphy said.
Mrs Lorimer, who said she lived in South Geelong, said she shared Mr Richards’ love of the Barwon River and his desire to preserve its eco-systems.
She said Mr Nelson and another Liberal, Angelo Kakouros, were the only candidates who sought preferences deals.
“They both wanted to second-preference me straight away and they didn’t even know who I was,” Mrs Lorimer said.
Ms Murphy, a Belmont resident, said Mr Nelson had asked for her support after alleging three “other” candidates were running on a Labor ticket.
Mrs Murphy said the “dummy” candidate allegations were a case of sour grapes.
“I personally think he cracked it because I wouldn’t preference him,” she said.
Mrs Lorimer defended her right under the Local Government Act to stand outside her ward.
She had decided taking on her incumbent ward councillor, Barbara Abley, because it “had services covered well by a good candidate”.
Ms Murphy said she decided not to run in her Kardinia ward because “there was no way I could get up” against Geelong Mayor Bruce Harwood.
The Independent was unable to contact Ms Canadillas for comment.