Voters have been given a second chance to pass their verdict on former Farrer candidate Christian Kunde, after he nominated for election on Albury Council.
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The student doctor from Glenroy has been placed number two on Labor’s ticket, behind current councillor Darren Cameron.
Mr Kunde controversially withdrew his Farrer candidacy two weeks before the federal election when it was revealed he had links with the spokesman for radical Islamic group Hizb ut-Tahrir.
Work commitments meant he could not attend Monday’s announcement.
But Cr Cameron said all the accusations were false and Mr Kunde had only stood down to protect his family and Labor’s federal campaign.
“Christian has been on the radio, the television and on the record, making it clear that there’s no basis for those accusations,” he said.
“Christian Kunde is a trainee doctor, he’s an excellent young man, he’s a football coach of a women’s football team and he’s someone I’m proud to have on the ticket.”
Former Farrer candidate Amanda Cohn, who was running on a Greens ticket, welcomed the chance to campaign against Mr Kunde again – and possibly work alongside him if they became councillors.
“It’s really up to the Labor Party and voters what they decide,” she said.
“I was surprised when the allegations first came out, I always had respectful conversations with Christian.”
Rob Marion, Carolyn Hassarati and Leanne Cameron made up the rest of the Labor ticket.
“The first thing that is notable about the Labor ticket is that all our candidates are from Lavington and Glenroy,” Cr Cameron said.
“This is where the majority of people in this city now live and they deserve more representation.”
The councillor was critical of colleague Cr Alice Glachan, who was originally elected as a Liberal candidate, but ran as an independent in past elections.
She told The Border Mail she remained an open Liberal member, but her ticket was independent.
“I commend the Greens for showing their political colours,” Cr Cameron said.
“But one thing I do disagree on is comments attributed to some of the Greens candidates that our local government is not just about roads, rates, footpaths and rubbish.
“On the contrary, I think that’s your primary focus for local government.”
His key platform was the council could not afford a new $50 million pool.
“It must be one of the central issues of this campaign because currently, some of the other councillors are already attempting to skirt the issue,” Cr Cameron said.
