By Candice Boyle
CITY of Maribyrnong mayor Michael Clarke will seek pre-selection as the Labor candidate for the seat of Williamstown.
Cr Clarke decided over the weekend after “seriously giving some thought” to contesting the seat held by former Premier Steve Bracks.
Cr Clarke has joined a large field of contenders, including Hobsons Bay councillor Bill Baarini and economics advisor Nicholas Reece, to be the Labor candidate.
The pre-selection decision is expected to be made next week after local branches and the Public Office Selection Committee vote for the candidate. The committee and combined branches each represent 50 per cent of the votes that will decide the candidate.
Cr Clarke said standing for pre-selection for the seat was a natural progression from his position at the council.
“Being mayor of the City of Maribyrnong is akin to a state seat,” he said.
Cr Clarke was elected as mayor in December 2006, after serving just one year as the Wattle Ward councillor.
It is not yet known how many people are seeking pre-selection for the seat, which is currently held by Labor by 25 per cent. But, Cr Clarke said it was important several members stood for the pre-selection process.
“We need a rich and robust field; we need a number of candidates who are prepared to make a commitment,” he said.
Cr Clarke said his case for pre-selection was bolstered by his track record of delivering on big budget issues, including the important role he played in securing and supporting the application for $52.1 million in State Government funding for the renewal of Footscray.
Cr Clarke said other prominent issues, including transport, trucks, health and the Yarraville Community Centre, must also be tackled to make further improvements in the West.
If pre-selected for Labor, Cr Clarke will join fellow councillor and former City of Maribyrnong mayor Janet Rice in the by-election. Cr Rice was recently pre-selected as the Greens member.
