FORMER South Barwon Liberal MP Andrew Katos has thrown his hat back in the ring, and will attempt to take the seat off incumbent Labor member Darren Cheeseman at this year\u2019s state election.<\/p>\n
Mr Katos, who was previously a City of Greater Geelong councillor, held the electorate for eight years before being defeated at the 2018 poll.<\/p>\n
Confirming his candidacy earlier this week, Mr Katos said he was \u201cdeeply honoured and humbled\u201d to be pre-selected and endorsed by the Liberals.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy deep passion for the South Barwon electorate stems from my life-time connection to this community, having grown up here, and now raising my family in the same community.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said his achievements during his eight years as MP included delivering facilities such as the Waurn Ponds Police Station and SES, Waurn Ponds railway station, as well as upgrades at several schools and sporting clubs.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have strong concerns about how the Andrews Government has handled the COVID pandemic over what has been a long and difficult two-year period.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere have been enormous impacts resulting from this government\u2019s decisions on small businesses, jobs, and essential workers, as well as negative impacts on children\u2019s schooling and education, and the mental health of the people of South Barwon.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt present there is widespread Labor representation at the state level across the Geelong region. This has resulted in a lack of leadership, vision and ideas, and a government that takes our community for granted.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Member for South Barwon, Darren Cheeseman, is Daniel Andrews\u2019 representative in the electorate rather than being the representative in the Parliament for the constituents who elected him.<\/p>\n
\u201cLabor approaches the 2022 state election asking Victorians to give them another four years in power, yet already over the past eight years they have continually failed Victorians while blaming someone else for these failures.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe cannot give Labor 12 years in power. We need a change in direction, with a Liberal government returning fairness, honesty and accountability to the people of Victoria.<\/p>\n
\u201cI look forward to working with the people of South Barwon to represent their views, needs, and aspirations in the Victorian Parliament if I am elected.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
FORMER South Barwon Liberal MP Andrew Katos has thrown his hat back in the ring, and will attempt to take the seat off incumbent Labor member Darren Cheeseman at this year\u2019s state election. Mr Katos, who was previously a City of Greater Geelong councillor, held the electorate for eight years before being defeated at the […]<\/p>\n