By Belinda Nolan
KEILOR candidate Natalie Sykes-Hutchins has vowed to keep out of Brimbank Council business if she is successful in next year’s state election.
The wife of NSW Senator Steve Hutchins, Ms Sykes-Hutchins was this month preselected for the traditionally safe Labor seat of Keilor, following the surprise retirement of long-serving MP George Seitz.
While praising Mr Seitz’s efforts to represent the people of his electorate, Ms Sykes-Hutchins said she would not make the mistake of getting heavily involved in council affairs if chosen to represent the people of Keilor.
In an interview with Star, Ms Sykes-Hutchins said while State Government representatives were obligated to work closely with their local councils, it was important to draw the line to ensure the relationship did not become inappropriate.
“While I don’t plan to distance myself, I can guarantee that I would be focussed on the real issues and put all of my time and energy into them, rather than any factional interests,” Ms Sykes-Hutchins said. “And certainly councillors need to focus their energies on serving the people of Brimbank and not on any political dealings.”
Ms Sykes-Hutchins confirmed ALP members had known about the misconduct of some councillors and MPs before the Ombudsman’s report became public.
“I was quite aware of some of the issues before the report came out,” Ms Sykes-Hutchins revealed.
A former Moonee Ponds resident, Ms Sykes-Hutchins has come under fire from residents’ groups over claims she has no connection to the electorate she hopes to represent.
Local residents groups have been fuming since the preselection announcement, declaring that Ms Sykes-Hutchins, who recently returned to Melbourne from NSW, was an inappropriate candidate, with no links to the local area.
Last week Ms Sykes-Hutchins confirmed she did not live in the electorate, but insisted she had a good knowledge of the Keilor community.
“I think my main connection with Keilor is that I’ve got lots of friends and family here,” Ms Sykes-Hutchins said. “I grew up in the outer western suburbs and many of my friends have set up house over here. Also, I think that I understand the aspirations and struggles of working families in this area.”
The Ascot Vale resident said she planned to move to Keilor towards the end of the year.
She said she hoped residents would give her a chance to prove herself ahead of the next election.
“I would say to them I’ve got 18 months ahead of me before the election to meet with residents’ groups and get a better understanding of their goals and any issues affecting them,” she said.
