Dandenong traders Peter Hofmann (front) with Michael Zeini (back left) and Harm Yip are campaigning against MP John Pandazopoulos.
By Shaun Inguanzo
DANDENONG MP Jon Pandazopoulos says a campaign against him by a band of central Dandenong retailers has a hidden political agenda.
Foster Street trader Peter Hofmann said traders started the Anti-Panda campaign because Mr Pandazopoulos failed to attend last week’s public meeting at the Scott Street Uniting Church.
Star first revealed Mr Hofmann’s plan to host the meeting when the hairdresser raised concerns that VicUrban was not communicating effectively with traders in the Little India precinct.
Mr Pandazopoulos said it was clear VicUrban had “communication issues” with the traders, but he felt there were hidden agendas in the traders’ campaign.
“Prior to this campaign I have not been asked to meet with traders, no one involved has written to me … yet in an election campaign they have a public meeting with placards prepared,” he said.
Mr Pandazopoulos said he could not attend the meeting because of his portfolio and ministerial commitments, not because he didn’t want to listen.
But he said he would not let Dandenong miss another opportunity to boom after similar activity by traders 20 years ago contributed to Dandenong missing out on an “office boom”.
“Box Hill was part of the office boom in the 1980s and it now has a lot of quality, white-collar jobs.
“The government is not going to stand by and miss out again. We think Dandenong is far too important for that.
“I will still work with (the traders involved in the campaign) subject to the election result. “But they must understand that if I am returned to the seat I will be cynical about their motives.”
