By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
A MELBOURNE Cup field has been predicted to line up for the plum upper house seat to be vacated by Member for Western Victoria David Koch at the next election.
Mr Koch announced his retirement after holding the seat for the last 12 years and acting as government whip in the Legislative Council.
One-time Liberal candidate and now Geelong councillor, Stretch Kontelj, said nominations for the seat would be “hotly contested”.
“The seat is seen as winnable because David held it for 12 years and delivered great results and gained a lot of respect,” Cr Kontelj said.
Cr Kontelj said he was not interested in nominating for the seat.
“A few people have mentioned it to me but I am putting my full support behind (wife) Paula as her campaign chairman.”
Ms Kontelj is has nominated for the seat of Geelong for the Liberal Party, with pre-selection to be determined on Sunday.
“It’s going to be a difficult election campaign because she faces a margin of four per cent so she will have to put in above and beyond,” Cr Kontelj said.
“But she is not without a chance because she transcends politics and is not known as a political person. That works in her favour.
“Paula appeals to both sides of politics because she’s a clear thinker, good communicator and a champion of community causes during her 25 years in the media.”
