By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
Labor is running scared of Darryn Lyons standing for Corio at the federal election, according to one of the party’s former long-time Geelong MPs.
Peter Loney said Geelong’s deposed mayor could leave Labor incumbent Richard Marles vulnerable if Mr Lyons ran as an independent.
Mr Loney told the Denis Scanlan Front Page program on 94.7FM The Pulse that the ALP feared a Lyons campaign.
“If it does happen Marles mightn’t win,” he said.
Mr Loney, who held the state seat of Lara for Labor from 1992 to 2006, was unsure on The Pulse whether last week’s sacking of the council would affect Mr Lyons’ chance of winning Corio.
“We are still to see how much this will hurt Darryn Lyons in a political sense.
“Whether he could draw 10 to 12 per cent in a federal election, that would be the figure you would be looking at.
“If Richard Marles’ primary vote is sitting at 36 per cent, that would make him vulnerable. At 36 per cent primary, any member is vulnerable.
“The Liberals will run a candidate and Darryn Lyons would run as an independent. That has been the local political fear.”
The Liberals have accused the Andrews Government of sacking Geelong’s council to smear Mr Lyons ahead of his anticipated run for Corio. Mr Lyons was the only individual identified in a report to government recommending the council’s dismissal, largely over bullying complaints.
A spokesperson said Mr Lyons was on holiday with fiancee Elissa Friday. He would consider his future over the next few months, the spokesperson said.
Mr Lyons last week hinted on a Sky News program that he could stand for higher office, citing a lack of federal funding commitments for the safe seat of Corio during recent federal elections.
The ALP has polled Corio at least twice to gauge support for Mr Lyons. ALP spokesmen have said their polling indicated he would receive about 10 per cent of the vote.
An Indy street poll early this month suggested 44 per cent of respondents would support him as an independent candidate.
The Liberal party this week selected marketing manager Richard Lange to contest the seat against Mr Marles and Greens candidate Sarah Mansfield.
A 2 July federal election is on the cards after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull received his double dissolution trigger when the Senate rejected his Australian Building and Construction Commission legislation.
Liberal Peter Read managed a 5.7 per cent swing away from incumbent Richard Marles in the 2013 federal election, garnering 42.25 per cent on a two party preferred basis.
Mr Marles was returned with 57.75 per cent of the vote.
Administrator begins role as mayor and council, page 6
