Labor man’s bid for seats

– Shaun Inguanzo
GREATER Dandenong councillor Paul Donovan would strongly consider tackling both local and State Government roles if his bid to win the state seat of Cranbourne is successful.
Cr Donovan is running this weekend for Labor Party preselection against local MP Jude Perera for the chance to retain Mr Perera’s Cranbourne seat at this November’s state election.
Re-elected to Greater Dandenong Council in November last year, Cr Donovan will use the issues of public transport, roads and other infrastructure, and tax alleviation at a state level, for low-income citizens as his main platforms for election.
He told the Star this week that former Australian Prime Minister Ben Chifley was able to handle his prime ministership and local government duties simultaneously, setting a historical precedent for dual-governmental duties to be performed.
His main reason for tackling the two roles would be to stop a costly byelection to Greater Dandenong residents.
Cr Donovan appeared in the Star in December last year about his comments on multiculturalism policy and Islam, which sparked a defensive reaction from the Muslim population.
This week, he reiterated his views that multiculturalism policy in its current state was more divisive than unitive, and that comments regarding Islam were focused on some migrants’ disregard for Australian laws.
“I would like to see that grants allocated through the Multicultural Commission are used for activities that unite communities rather than divide people into tribes,” he said.
“I believe that everyone seeking haven in Australia should embrace Australia’s laws and values, which based on our Christian heritage, have made this one of the best countries in the world.”