Three Labor-endorsed candidates have announced they will run for Hobsons Bay council in October’s election, standing on a platform of COVID recovery.
Lead candidate Daniel McKinnon has a public profile as treasurer of Save Williamstown, a group that fought against residential development near major hazard facilities.
He will run for Strand ward on a ticket with Ross Alexander, who is completing his masters in climate policy.
A third ALP candidate, Matt Tyler, will be running in Wetlands ward. Mr Tyler is part of the leadership team at Jesuit Social Services, focusing on mental health and family violence.
“We’ve got a team that mixes a bit of youth with a bit of experience,“ Mr McKinnon said.
“I think really the main issue is the impact of COVID-19 because every other issue will be framed by that … it’s going to put enormous pressure on the budget … and it’s going to put enormous pressure on services.
“I’ve got a lot of experience in business … and because I’m a qualified accountant I’ve got experience in managing large budgets.
“I ran the [Victoria] university budget team when doing the annual budget and that was a budget of about $480 million.“
Strand ward has three elected councillors: the Greens’ Jonathon Marsden and sixth-term independents Angela Altair and Peter Hemphill.
“Although those councillors have been there for a long time and done an excellent job and really contributed to the community, there’s really no harm in getting some new talent in from time to time, particularly when there are new challenges to be addressed, so that’s what’s really motivating us,“ Mr McKinnon said.
