A self-confessed Labor branch stacker says Brimbank council needs representatives with no political ties.
Costas Socratous, a former Brimbank councillor and school bus driver for the past six years, famously told Fairfax Media in 2010 he paid membership fees of hundreds of Labor members in the West.
Mr Socratous, who lost his Harvester seat in 2008 but will run this October again, said the new council needed a future without political influence.
“I hope people will judge them (candidates) on their merits, not because they’re part of a political party,” he told Star Weekly.
“If they follow political parties, I believe we will end up in the same situation like we were ten years ago.
“We need our local government to operate in a transparent and honest manner.”
Mr Socratous, who says he relinquished his Labor membership more than six years ago, believes the sacked council of 2009 was riddled with factions.
“Some councillors had different ambitions, doing favours to some groups and neglecting others,” he said.
“They were pursuing their own interests and agendas.”
He said a 2009 Victorian Ombudsman’s Report into council’s corrupt activities was “fair”, but there were “a lot of things that were not included”.
The same report found Mr Socratous was “compromised” by working as an electoral officer for then MP Theo Theophanous.
“I was influenced (as a Brimbank councillor by previous Labor employers)… I learnt my lesson. Political parties are there for their own interest,” he said.
“I’m not cut out for their factional games. I love the truth, and I love to help my fellow citizens.
“I do things because I believe in it, not because I expect something in return.
“My biggest mistake, I should have sent my submission to the Ombudsman earlier.”
Responding to community views the council deserved fresh faces, Mr Socratous said he was still the right man for the job.
“I know how the council works, I know what our youth and seniors need, I’ve been working with them for many years now,” he said
He also rejected claims he was a dummy candidate for former Mayor Sam David: “I haven’t spoken to Sam David since we were councillors.”
He rejected claims from Labor figures he was a problem gambler as mere “political propaganda”.
