Derryn Hinch will contest election for Melbourne’s Lord Mayor

Former shock jock Derryn Hinch has announced he will officially run for Melbourne’s Lord Mayor, aiming to restore Melbourne to its former glory.

Derryn Hinch has announced his campaign to run for Melbourne Lord Mayor. Picture: Jason Edwards

Former senator and shock jock Derryn Hinch has confirmed he will run for Melbourne Lord Mayor, aiming to “get the city back on its feet”.

It comes after Mr Hinch told the Herald Sun earlier this month he was considering running for Lord Mayor because he was sick of the council’s focus on “woke policies”.

Mr Hinch said yesterday he wanted to “make Melbourne magnificent” by addressing graffiti, street cleaning and homessless issues.

Full policies and deputy lord mayor candidate for the October election would be announced soon, Mr Hinch said.

His confirmed nomination came as pollster Gary Morgan declared he would also contest the mayoral election, pledging to expand the city’s free tram zone.

This will be the sixth time Mr Morgan has contested the city’s top job.

The octogenarians – Morgan is 82 and Hinch 80 – are the only two nominees so far aiming to take Sally Capp’s mayoral robes after six years.

Cr Capp has not decided whether to run for a third term but has indicated she wanted to cut the ribbons on her legacy Greenline project along the north bank of the Yarra.

Roy Morgan Research executive chairman Gary Morgan will run for Lord Mayor for the sixth time. Aaron Francis / Herald Sun

Mr Morgan opened his campaign by promising to work with the state to extend the city’s Free Tram Zone to take in more of Melbourne’s landmarks such as the MCG, the arts precinct, Royal Botanic Gardens and Crown casino.

Mr Morgan said the transport expansion would ease city traffic and help tourism and businesses.

Morgan, an East Melbourne resident since 1959, has yet to announce his deputy lord mayor candidate. His running mate in the 2020 campaign was Queen Victoria Market advocate Mary-Lou Howie. They received 2.77 per cent of the vote, eighth in a field of nine.

Mr Morgan said his preferences would be important in the outcome, hinting that Cr Capp would get his support.

“Sally Capp has done a good job in difficult times,’’ he said.

Melbourne businessman Francis Galbally was also believed to be considering a tilt at Town Hall but has ruled himself out.