Former Labor councillor joins Liberals

By Shaun Inguanzo
A FORMER Labor councillor has become a Liberal member and says it is likely he will have running mates at November’s Greater Dandenong council election.
Cleeland Ward councillor Paul Donovan ran for party pre-selection in 2006 as a Labor member, for the right to contest Cranbourne MP Jude Perera’s seat. Cr Donovan was defeated and has since left the Labor Party.
He told the Star this week he had joined the Liberal Party and that it was likely, but not confirmed, that he would have running mates to preference votes to him in the new Silverleaf Ward.
He had left Labor after a falling out and believed the community was fed up with the party’s factional antics, he said.
“I think a lot of people in the community are really sick of Labor at a council level, so hopefully they will go out and support the Liberals and give a different balance on the council,” Cr Donovan said.
“I feel very confident (about re-election) and I hope that we really do see a few changes and some good candidates and councillors coming through.”