Coalition calls for more women candidates

WOMEN have been “thin on the ground” in a ratepayer coalition’s hunt for Knox City Council election candidates.
The Knox Reform Coalition (KRC), a cooperative venture between ratepayer groups the Knox Ratepayers’ Association and Knox Action, said last week it would endorse one candidate for election this November in each of Knox’s nine wards.
KRC chairman Richard Thomas said the candidates, if elected, would give the current council a ‘very different look’ following the November elections.
“These will be independent candidates who share our basic views about the need for council to be more efficient, more community focused and to control excessive flat (highdensity) development in the area.”
But Mr Thomas said the group had not yet finalised its candidate list after two potentials pulled out last week.
“We had selected all nine candidates but unfortunately two have been forced to withdraw in the past few days due to personal circumstances.”
Mr Thomas said this would not prevent KRC from sending other candidates to the council’s candidate information night on 21 September.
He said the KRC would look for new candidates, and was particularly keen on filling the spaces with women candidates.
“We would still be interested to hear from anyone willing to represent their community as a councillor, particularly women.
“Female candidates are a bit thin on the ground.”
Mr Thomas said the KRC was feeling confident that its candidates would be successful due to a “widespread feeling that this council has become arrogant and out of touch”.
The candidate information session is open for anyone interested in delving into local government in Knox.
Speakers from the Victorian Electoral Commission and Municipal Association of Victoria will be present to help outline the role and responsibilities of a councillor.
The council will also provide advice on the nomination process.
It will be held at the Knox Civic Centre, 511 Burwood Highway, Wantirna South, at 7.30pm on Wednesday 21 September.