Former prime minister John Howard talks up Matthew Guy’s state election chances

JOHN Howard says Melbourne’s booming population growth must be sustainable as he backed Victorian Opposition Leader Matthew Guy’s plan to tackle congestion and crime.

JOHN Howard says Melbourne’s booming population growth must be sustainable as he backed Victorian Opposition Leader Matthew Guy’s plan to tackle congestion and crime.

The former prime minister rallied the state Coalition’s campaign team this afternoon, declaring Mr Guy “can turf out a one-term government”.

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Former PM John Howard with Victorian Opposition Leader Matthew Guy this afternoon. Picture: Tim Carrafa

“I really believe in this bloke,” Mr Howard said, as he praised Mr Guy’s focus on “bread and butter issues”.

“Obviously community safety is a big issue in Victoria and that’s the perception all around Australia, and perception is normally based on an element of reality,” he said.

Mr Howard said that, as one of the world’s greatest cities, Melbourne needed to keep growing.

“You’ve got to balance growth with sustainability, and I think the concern that Melburnians have about congestion is soundly based,” he said.

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Former PM John Howard has backed Victorian Opposition Leader Matthew Guy’s plan to tackle congestion and crime. Picture: Tim Carrafa

He said Mr Guy had brought “first class” energy and unity to the Coalition’s campaign, as he thanked the party’s backroom operators for their efforts.

Asked about Mr Guy’s chances of winning November’s state election, Mr Howard said: “Everybody takes an interest in polls. Politicians may say they don’t care about polls — don’t believe them … But it is true that there’s only one poll that counts.”

Mr Guy said Mr Howard was “one of Australia’s greatest prime ministers” as he thanked him for his campaign advice and support.

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