Moreland Mayor John Kavanagh to take on Lizzie Blandthorn, Oscar Yildiz for seat of Pascoe Vale

A SECOND independent candidate has announced plans to challenge the safe Labor seat of Pascoe Vale at the upcoming state election.

Moreland Mayor John Kavanagh will contest a state seat at the next election. Picture: Josie Hayden

A SECOND independent candidate has announced plans to challenge the safe Labor seat of Pascoe Vale in the upcoming state election.

Moreland Mayor John Kavanagh will challenge incumbent Labor MP Lizzie Blandthorn.

Cr Kavanagh, serving his second term as mayor, joins fellow councillor Oscar Yildiz to contest the Labor MP’s seat in the November election.

Both are running as independents.

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Cr Kavanagh, a primary school teacher, will not have to resign from the council to campaign for the seat, but will be replaced if he wins a state seat.

Cr Kavanagh said his time was now, citing a frustration with Ms Blandthorn being “invisible” on local issues such as public transport, schools and pools funding.

“You get taken for granted here in the north … we are getting scraps,” he said.

Cr Yildiz also said Pascoe Vale had been “taken for granted” by the government when he announced his candidacy in May.

“For too long this area has been ignored by the major parties,” Cr Yildiz said then.

To take the seat off Ms Blandthorn, Cr Kavanagh would require a 17 per cent swing.

Labor has held the seat since it was re-established in 1985.

Councillor Oscar Yildiz

The father of four has deep political roots, with his grandfather Bill Barry serving in the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Carlton for 13 years until 1955.

Following his brother Peter’s election for one term to the Victorian Legislative Council in 2006, Cr Kavanagh registered in the Democratic Labor Party but cut ties with the party in 2011 and claims to be independent.

Incumbent MP Lizzie Blandthorn

The 55-year-old was first elected to Moreland Council in 2004. He lives in Essendon, but is a ratepayer in Moreland.

He said he would not accept any donations to his campaign and would spend his own money.

“I believe nobody should be able to donate to an independent because once they do they buy influence,” he said.

“If elected I want to be answerable to only the residents. My confidence is at a level where I can represent Pascoe Vale very well.”

Both the Liberal and Green parties are yet to announce candidates for the seat.

Ms Blandthorn’s office was contacted for comment.

The election will be held on November 24.

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