By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
WHICHEVER party wins the seat of Cranbourne will likely win the state election, according to political scientist Dr Nick Economou.
The statement comes as Casey’s mayor and deputy mayor were last week chosen as Liberal candidates ahead of November’s election.
Mayor Geoff Ablett was selected as the Liberal candidate for Cranbourne, while Deputy Mayor Amanda Stapledon was chosen as the candidate for Narre Warren North.
The pair were formally endorsed by the party’s Administrative Committee on Thursday, due to there being an insufficient number of eligible Liberal delegates to hold a pre-selection convention.
Only people who have been local Liberal members for more than two years are eligible to vote.
Both seats are currently held by Labor, with Jude Perera in Cranbourne and Luke Donnellan in Narre Warren North.
Crs Ablett and Stapledon joined Premier Denis Napthine on Friday for the announcement of the multi-billion dollar upgrade to the south-east rail corridor, at which the Premier welcomed the new candidates.
This week Cr Stapledon assured the people of Casey that she had the “energy and commitment” to fulfil her role as a councillor while acting as the Liberal candidate for Narre Warren North.
“My door is always open to the people I represent and that won’t change,” Cr Stapledon said.
“I am confident that I can continue to represent the people of Casey.
“As I was only confirmed as the candidate late last week, I’m going to take some time to consider how best to approach the campaign and my role as a councillor.”
Without commenting directly about his new opponent in Narre Warren North, Mr Donnellan said the Liberal Party had neglected Casey since coming to office, with “cuts across the board to trades training, emergency services and roads funding.”
Mayor Ablett did not respond to questions from the News before deadline.
Dr Economou said it was very common for people to use local government as a pathway to a parliamentary career, particularly in the Liberal Party.
“I think it makes perfect sense for people looking for a career in state or federal parliament to cut their teeth in local government,” he said.
“It should be a good sign if someone has put their hand up to work in the local community as part of a council.”
Dr Economou also said the Cranbourne seat, held by Labor by just 1.1 per cent, was the Liberal’s Party’s best chance to win a seat in the area.
Casey Councillor Wayne Smith said Cr Ablett, who stood for Cranbourne in the 2010 state election, should stand down from his mayoral role closer to the election.
He said Cr Ablett shouldn’t put himself in a position where he was compromised, citing occasions when the mayor might have to lobby the State Government on behalf of council.
“I think he’s (Geoff) realistic enough to do that, and I think Amanda should as well,” Cr Smith said.
“And in the meantime they have to be very careful. Geoff can’t turn up to events as the mayor and speak as a candidate, and he can’t take the mayoral car to political events.”
