By LAURA WAKELY
BRIMBANK councillor-hopefuls were outraged they wouldn’t have a chance to run for election for another three years.
Former mayor and sacked councillor Sam David said the Government’s decision was “unbelievable”.
“People need democracy,” Mr David said.
“I understand that three Administrators are probably doing their best to make sure the city’s running at proper process, but at the same time, they don’t see the community as individuals.”
Troy Atanasovski, who was also sacked in 2009, agreed.
“People in Brimbank deserve democracy,” Mr Atanosovski said.
“I feel sorry for the community of Brimbank.”
Keilor Village Traders Association president Virginia Tachos said she was “cautiously” accepting the decision.
Ms Tachos said the Administrators had got the “momentum” of council operations going but believed six years was too long between council elections.
She said there needed to be more transparency and consultation under administration.
“I don’t think listening posts alone are enough to engage the community,” she said.
But former Keilor MP George Seitz congratulated the Government, claiming it would allow time for new council staff and a new culture to “develop and grow”.
He said he would run in 2015.
Western Metropolitan MP Bernie Finn also welcomed the decision.
Mr Finn told Star he had seen the two Labor factions “lining up” for the October 27 elections.
“There’ve been a lot of local people approaching me and approaching the minister begging not to allow the councillors back,” he said.
“The nightmare revisited was too much to contemplate, too much to withstand.”
He said the new administration would continue to make Brimbank “the place it should be” rather than the “farcical, nonsensical ratbaggery” of former councils.
But Opposition Local Government Minister Richard Wynne, who made the decision in 2009 to sack the council, said the Government had provided “no justification” for the administration to continue.
“The voice of the community in Brimbank should be able to be expressed at democratic elections as scheduled for October this year,” he said.
The Greens have also blasted the decision with Western Metropolitan MP Colleen Hartland claiming the move proved the Baillieu Government doesn’t trust voters.
“I think it’s time for the major parties to trust the voters,” Ms Hartland said.
“They know there were problems with some councillors at Brimbank and that the council was sacked for good reason.
“They know who was named by the Ombudsman and what the allegations were.”
