By NOEL MURPHY
STATE Government has denied a report it could sack Geelong’s council if Ken Jarvis fails to win the mayoral election.
Local Government Minister Jeanette Powell said: “This has never been a consideration for the Government”.
“The Government will work with whomever the people of Geelong elect as their new mayor.”
“The City of Greater Geelong council has been elected to serve a four-year term and has been providing strong leadership for Victoria’s second largest city.”
“The Coalition Government is delivering on its election commitment to give the Geelong community the opportunity to directly elect their mayor.”
Mr Costa rejected The Age’s story quoting him as saying council could be sacked if Mr Jarvis was not elected.
“Another incorrect statement was that I chaired the Committee for Geelong, I never have been and I don’t speak for them.
“And the claims of $100,000 advertising for Ken Jarvis is rubbish – it’s way south of 20.”
Mr Jarvis stressed his decision to stand for mayor was his alone and based solely on his personal concern for Geelong and who might become mayor.
“I did not stand because Frank Costa or other person asked me to stand. In fact many, many people from all walks of life asked me to stand because they were fed up with what was happening in Geelong.”
Fellow mayoral candidate Stephanie Asher reacted to the story by saying “there are puppets in the mix”.
