I Cook Foods boss says ‘the people of Mulgrave have been neglected by the Premier for years’

Ian Cook, who is at the centre of the slug gate saga, will again contest the seat of Mulgrave, saying “the Premier might be gone, but the corruption is still here”.

Ian Cook is set to run again at the by-election. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Daniel Andrews exit from politics has freed up his seat of Mulgrave where locals, conflicted his departure, will welcome a new leader after 21 years.

Mr Andrews has held a firm grip on the eastern seat – which covers the suburb of Mulgrave and parts of Wheelers Hill, Springvale, Noble Park and Dandenong North – since it was established in a redistribution in 2002.

But while Labor has consistently flourished in the seat, previously known as Dandenong North, last year’s 8.5 per cent swing against the sitting MP – which cut the margin to 10.2 per cent – could signal danger for the party in the upcoming by-election.

I Cook Foods founder, Ian Cook, who remains at the centre of the marathon “slug gate” saga, said on Wednesday he will put his hat in the ring once again.

“The people of Mulgrave have been neglected by the Premier for years,” he said.

“They deserve a proper local member who will work for them.

“The Premier might be gone, but the corruption is still here and I will continue to fight it.”

Mr Cook says the people of Mulgrave deserve a proper local member who will work for them. Picture: Alex Coppel

At last year’s election, Mr Cook – who is suing the government over claims health officials planted a slug in the company’s kitchen – won 39.2 per cent of the vote after preferences, while Mr Andrews secured 60.8 per cent.

The Liberal Party will also run a candidate but it is currently unclear which names are being floated.

While some Mulgrave locals on Wednesday were sad to see Mr Andrews go, others were celebrating his retirement.

The Premier’s long-time neighbour, Adam Acreman, wasn’t shocked to see the Premier step down after a “tough few years” but said he will be missed.

“A few years ago, I thought he might have left the job because it was getting too much, obviously huge on the family, but he stuck through for everyone and it’s probably time to go,” he said.

“Hardest job in Australia, at this time.

“A lot of good things have happened in Mulgrave through Dan and a lot of good things have happened in Victoria.”

Local worker, Dean Evans, however, said it was “a happy day for Victoria”.

“Victoria should all be on the beers tonight, tomorrow night and for the rest of the year,” he said.

“I can’t stand him. It’s been a bit of a dictator for the past three or four years since Covid.”

The Premier’s mailman Michael Pogrzeba said the Andrews family had always been friendly but he wasn’t phased about him stepping aside.

“I’ve been doing this round for 10 years and I’ve only seen him twice … I’ve spoke to his wife a lot and she’s always been friendly,” he said.

“I don’t really care either way, to be honest with you because he will just be replaced with someone else who does the same thing.

Another long-time local, who wished not to be named, said he was glad to see Mr Andrews leave, calling him a “dictator”.

“Good riddance.”