LONG-TIME Moyne shire councillor Jim Doukas has been endorsed as the Australian Country Party/Give It Back candidate for the seat of South West Coast in next month's state election.
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Mr Doukas has served four stints as Moyne mayor in his 17 years with the council and polled just over 10 percent of votes in the 2015 SWC byelection.
"I want to give the community an option. The Country Party is exactly what it says it is, giving back to the community," he said.
"We are all about responsible government, protecting the rights of the rural community and seeing rural communities get their fair share.
"We certainly are not at present. The bigger regional cities do well like Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong and the marginal seats."
Cr Doukas said the seat of South West Coast had to be marginalised if the region was going to get a fair share of government funding.
"The best way to marginalise the seat is to elect someone else," he said.
"I'm hoping to get up to 20 percent of the primary. Preferences are going to be crucial but I'm yet to decide where my preferences will go. We want to at least marginalise the seat for everyone's benefit."
Cr Doukas said he would talk to other candidates about preferences, particularly independants and those representing minor parties.
He said he was confident of polling well after always being elected on primary votes in Moyne shire elections.
The councillor said he aimed to lift his profile, especially in the Portland district through social media via the support of the not -for-profit Give It Back foundation.
Cr Doukas said the foundation aimed to help rural people.
Asked about his election prospects, Cr Doukas said: “All we can do is have a go”.
Australian Country Party/Give It Back chairman Rob Danieli said he was delighted Cr Doukas was contesting the seat of SWC on behalf of the party.
“The Australian Country Party recently joined forces with the Give It Back Foundation which will strengthen our ability to truly represent regional Victoria," he said.
“We believe there is no better person to represent South West Coast than Jim Doukas. His heart is set on looking after the people of this area. Jim is a born and bred local and has worked as a dairy farmer for 44 years.
“He is a sitting councillor and former mayor of Moyne shire and remains one of the most popular councillors, continually being elected on primary votes.”
Mr Danieli said supporting Cr Doukas was a vote for common sense policies.
"And true representation will be given back to the people of South West Coast," he said.
