A NEW Melbourne-based Labor candidate for Northern Victoria can expect some cynicism towards his claim that he is just as well qualified to represent the region as a local.
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Daniel Mulino has defended his pre-selection for the seat after he was nominated by the party executive, along with fellow Melburnian Steve Herbert, the retiring lower house MP for Eltham, to take the vacated places of retiring MPs Kaye Darveniza and Candy Broad.
The executive decision has left Wodonga councillor Lisa Mahood, former Wangaratta councillor Lauren McCully, former Benalla candidate Rowena Allen and former Indi candidate Zuvele Leschen, who had nominated, out in the cold.
Our readers would agree with Mr Mulino when he says local knowledge is not the only factor in making a good candidate, but what they might also point out to the Labor executive is that while it is not the one and only desirable trait, it surely is the most important.
When questioned about the decision to install outsiders last week, the Labor Party’s state secretary Noah Carroll said: “I don’t know why we’re still talking about this”.
That kind of response only endorses the perception of the party’s disregard for the area.
