Maribyrnong councillor Catherine Cumming will run as an independent candidate in the forthcoming state election.
Cr Cumming, a councillor for 17 years, said she hoped Footscray would become a marginal seat to attract more funds and attention from state governments.
“If we continue to stay as a safe Labor seat, we won’t attract the same grants or major project money,” she said.
“It just makes sense that we become a marginal seat.”
Cr Cumming, 42, said the mix of long-term voters and new voters moving into the area was a good political mix that would help stop the neglect of the area.
“I do believe the voters are changing in this area and people who have been here the longest are changing the most because they understand they’re being neglected,” she said. “They’ve seen it all.”
Cr Cumming said Footscray was in need of an independent MP to work with the community, for the community.
“I’ve created a little bit of attention to Footscray, but it deserves a lot more attention, the kind that an independent would give the area,” she said.
“Real people should get into Parliament. It’s great to have real people in Parliament who are not scared to speak up for the community.
“We need to have a community voice rather than a party voice.
“I think we get sick of politicians and political speech and not saying what should be said.
“I hope Footscray has grown up enough to change.”
The state election will be on Saturday, November 29.
