By Belinda Nolan
ALP figure Andrew Lappos will challenge Telmo Languiller for the seat of Derrimut in a bold preselection bid.
Mr Lappos is seeking preselection, hoping to topple Mr Languiller at the next State Election in 2014.
The Taylors Lakes resident is holding a campaign launch at the Keilor East RSL in May in a bid to garner support for his electorate claim.
It is not the first time the ALP stalwart has put his hand up as a candidate. In 2009 he also attempted to wrest the seat from Mr Languiller, while earlier this year he unsuccessfully nominated for preselection in the Broadmeadows by-election.
An ALP member since 1993, Mr Lappos told Star he was quietly confident of his chances.
“Although nothing is ever certain in politics I’m as confident as I can be. While Telmo has done some great things in his time, I believe that I have that X-factor that will allow me to best represent the electorate,” Mr Lappos said.
“I’m young and enthusiastic and I’ve been campaigning out in the West for some time.”
If preselected, Mr Lappos said his campaign would centre on boosting jobs, infrastructure and health services in the West. The Derrimut electorate covers Albion, Ardeer, Derrimut, Sunshine North and Sunshine West, as well as parts of Deer Park, St Albans and Sunshine.
Mr Languiller has held the seat since 2002.
