By Goya Dmytryshchak
Veteran Hobsons Bay councillor Peter Hemphill will stand for the seat of Williamstown in the November state election.
The long-time Newport resident, who was elected to the council in 1999 and is a journalist with the The Weekly Times, will run as an independent.
Labor’s pre-selected candidate Melissa Horne is in the box seat to replace Wade Noonan, who is retiring after 11 years. A swing greater than 16.5 per cent would be required to unseat Labor.
Cr Hemphill said: “There is widespread disillusionment with, and cynicism of, the Andrews government.
“If I look at a few local issues … this disillusionment is well placed.
“Just take the Ferguson Street rail crossing in Williamstown as an example.
“The government had been telling the Hobsons Bay City Council it would have plans for the crossing ready by the middle of this year.
“Then last December, it put it on the backburner. And why was that? Because its newly selected candidate for the seat of Williamstown worked for the Level Crossing Removal Authority and they want to wait until after the election to come out with plans that are most likely to be unpalatable to the electorate.
“So, expect a skyrail to emerge once the election is out of the way.”
Cr Hemphill said there was resentment about Mr Andrews paying $1.1billion to scrap the East West Link contract.
He said the government’s own data showed that within five years of the West Gate Tunnel being built, traffic levels would be back to where they are now.
“Those that know me know that I am a straight shooter and willing to make the tough decisions if I have to,” he said.
“All I ask is for people to give me a go.”
