Councillor loses preselection seat

By Shaun Inguanzo and
A WEEKEND of political party preselections has resulted in contrasting tales of success and disappointment for two local public figures.
Greater Dandenong councillor Paul Donovan this week accepted his loss at last weekend’s Labor Party preselection for the State seat of Cranbourne, but has not ruled out a future challenge.
Cr Donovan this week said he lost the vote by an overwhelming 30 to four majority in favour of incumbent MP Jude Perera.
The long-serving Greater Dandenong 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 any way, I tried my best and it didn’t come off.”
Mr Perera, who has held the state seat of Cranbourne since 2002, said he had mixed emotions about the result.
“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.”
Meanwhile, former leader of the Opposition and Federal MP for Hotham, Simon Crean, retained his seat – which covers Springvale – after defeating union official Martin Pakula at a preselection vote last weekend.
Mr Crean’s campaign garnered mass media attention after he slammed the Labor Party’s internal factions for composing the divisive battle between Mr Pakula and himself, rather than working as a united party.