By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
CASEY Mayor Geoff Ablett has dismissed suggestions his Liberal Party candidacy will negatively impact his role as a councillor, speaking to the News for the first time since being endorsed by the party for the seat of Cranbourne earlier this month.
Cr Ablett said there was no conflict of interest between the two roles.
He said the election of his mayoral successor was already scheduled to take place prior to the state election as part of the “normal council process”.
“I will continue to approach my role as mayor with the passion, commitment and integrity that has characterised my career in council,” Cr Ablett said.
“I have been working with this community and advocating for the services and infrastructure we need as a local councillor and as mayor, and I will continue to do so as the Liberal candidate for Cranbourne.”
Outlining his local campaign agenda, Cr Ablett said he would continue to advocate for upgrades to local roads and public transport services.
“Since the Coalition Government was elected things have improved dramatically,” he said.
“We have seen more roadworks in the past three years than the 10 years before, but there is still more work to be done and I will fight for the road projects we need most.”
Cr Ablett also said he would also make local job creation and health services a priority in his electorate.
Cranbourne MP Jude Perera said it was “unethical” for Cr Ablett to hold onto his mayoralty.
“There is certainly a conflict of interest,” Mr Perera said.
“It is a question of Mr Ablett’s integrity, whether he wants to do the right thing by stepping down and do the right thing by the ratepayers of Casey.”
Mr Perera said jobs, roads and public transport were his priority for Cranbourne leading up to the election, in addition to health and education.
“Unfortunately the electorate of Cranbourne has been forgotten under this government and the residents deserve better,” he said.
“This government has not invested in any major infrastructure project since coming to office. Our record speaks for itself.”
