Perera confident of win

CRANBOURNE MP Jude Perera looks set to defend his seat at this year’s State Election after blitzing the Labor Party’s weekend preselection.
Mr Perera said he was confident of retaining his position after fighting off a challenge from controversial Greater Dandenong councillor Paul Donovan to win the majority of votes amongst Cranbourne electorate Labor members.
The partial vote tallied 29 to 4 as of yesterday. Mr Perera, who has held the state seat of Cranbourne since 2002, said he had mixed emotions about the result so far.
“I am pleased but at the same time surprised that Mr Donovan actually scored a vote,” he said.
“He has no connection to Cranbourne, doesn’t live in the electorate and is not known in the area.
“Why would anyone vote for someone who holds such racist views? I also find it strange that last year he wanted to leave the party to be a Family First candidate.
“I’m not sure how he even got four votes,” Mr Perera said.
Mr Donovan this week said he accepted the loss but would not rule out a future challenge.
The long-serving councillor said the campaign was a clean fight, with little factional interference.
“But really this was just the local vote, and members voted for what they knew on this occasion, and were more familiar and comfortable with,” he said.
“I am not bitter about it in anyway, I tried my best and it didn’t come off.”