Nominations are now in for the upcoming council elections. As in previous elections we face the same situation – names that are totally unknown with many claiming to be ‘independent’ but in reality are aligned, affiliated or members of the various political parties.

For starters, we have a new Labor oriented group calling themselves ‘progressives’!  Their leanings are clear with how they rate current councillors with Liberal links.  This is reposted on the Karslake facebook page. Note the order – especially the last three councillors .

Even more interesting is that Port Phillip has also established a group calling themselves ‘Progressive Port Phillip’. Looks like Labor is going all out for the upcoming election. Here are the members of the Glen Eira version:

Nothing wrong with this except what it camouflages and the impression it seeks to create. At least the Greens make a public declaration of who they are and which party they belong to.

The Liberals are far more restrained  and  – hidden!

Most of the nominations come from individuals we have never heard of. For the majority of these new nominations, their involvement in council issues is zero as far as we can tell. Nothing on the various social media platforms and no public questions tabled at council. The few that have asked questions are mostly related to the closure of the childcare centres. Even if most are ‘genuine’, then why the absence of contact details including phone nos? So how many are stooges, conscripted to provide preferences for their favourites?

There’s only one thing for sure. We will have at least 3 existing councillors departing. Athanasopolous is heading for Kingston, and in two wards two councillors are fighting for the single position – Cade versus Karslake in one ward and Szmood versus Pennicuik in another ward.

Most disappointing are the results for two wards where only 2 candidates nominated in each.

Finally, we highlight one name – Matthew Aitken. If this is the person we think it is, then it’s interesting that he was Glen Eira’s chief prosecution officer a while back!

Here is the final list of candidates –