Katos reveals bid for seat of South Barwon

Alex de Vos
Geelong councillor Andrew Katos has announced he will run for Liberal preselection in the state Labor seat of South Barwon.
The prominent business owner said he was passionate about the community and wanted to “give something back”.
Cr Katos said his time on council had pricked his interest in politics.
“I’ve been representing the community as a councillor and have got a taste for it,” Cr Katos said.
“I’d like to extend that to the next level.”
The seat of South Barwon covers an area from Belmont to Barwon Heads and Torquay.
Cr Katos, a married father, said he had grown up in the seat, so he had close ties to the electorate.
“I’ve spent my entire life in South Barwon I live in Highton, grew up in Belmont and was educated at Deakin University at Waurn Ponds.
“I’m also raising my family here – I’m very in tune with what goes on inside the electorate.”
Cr Katos promised to listen to the community on a range of controversial issues including fluoridation of the region’s water and the future of Barwon Heads’ iconic bridge.
“The community isn’t being listened to on decisions like the Barwon Heads Bridge,” Cr Katos said.
“Parliament rejected (an application to tear down the bridge) then it was overridden – they’re not listening.
“They also promised a referendum on fluoridation and that was abandoned.”
Cr Katos pledged to continue working for his council constituents despite announcing he would run for state politics.
“I’m quite confident I’m going to be able to do manage both – half my ward sits in South Barwon and a lot of my work overlaps,” he said.
Cr Katos, if he wins preselection, will challenge Labor’s Michael Crutchfield, who has held the seat since 2002.
“Michael Crutchfield is a very vigorous and experienced opponent and I don’t underestimate him whatsoever,” he said.
The pair have previously clashed over State Government’s no-dams policy.
Cr Katos joined Geelong’s council when he won a by-election to replace former councillor Shane Dowling in Deakin Ward in May last year. Cr Katos returned to council unopposed after elections in November.
Cr Katos would cost ratepayers about $50,000 for a by-election if he won preselection and the subsequent state election.
The state vote will be next year, while voters will go to the polls for full-council elections in 2012.
City of Greater Geelong ran a $40,000 by-election after Michael Crutchfield was elected to Government in 2002.