Ian Cook kickstarts election campaign against Premier Daniel Andrews

Ian Cook’s election campaign against Daniel Andrews is attracting support as he challenges the Premier in his own seat.

Ian Cook is running against Premier Daniel Andrews in the seat of Mulgrave. Picture: Tim Carafa

Ian Cook — the man at the centre of the long-running “slug gate” scandal — has kickstarted his election campaign against Premier Daniel Andrews by signing 150 volunteers and raising $50,000 in donations.

Cook is standing as an independent candidate in Andrews’ seat of Mulgrave at November’s state election more than three years after the controversial closure of his family-owned catering business.

He said funds began rolling in to support his anti-corruption ticket before his election website was officially launched.

“People were just finding it online and donating,” Cook said at the unveiling of a giant campaign billboard in the heart of Mulgrave.

“A lot of people have been telling me that they are choosing to donate under the $1080 threshold so it’s anonymous and they can stay off the Premier’s blacklist.

“I’m hearing real fear of retribution out there in the community. It’s shocking.

“We expect Labor will have unlimited funds to advertise for Andrews, so I am incredibly grateful and a bit taken aback by the generosity.”

The campaign, dubbed by his supporters as “Cook versus Crook”, has been bolstered by the signing of 150 volunteers in a week.

Ian Cook and his business have been at the centre of the “slug gate” saga. Picture: Alex Coppel

Forty-one workers lost their jobs due to the shutdown of Cook’s company I Cook Foods in February 2019, ordered by then acting chief health officer Brett Sutton.

The father of two is continuing to fight in the Supreme Court in a bid to prove the forced closure of his Dandenong South business was illegal and the result of misconduct, sabotage and political interference.

“The offers to volunteer are so heartening,” Cook said.

“People want to help door knock and give out how to vote cards.

“Locals are contacting the website asking for a sign to put in their front yards throughout the electorate. It’s incredible.”

Cook, 62, has also recruited online political advocate Emily Coltraine from Voice for Victoria as his campaign co-ordinator.

“I’m no expert on social media, but luckily Emily is,” he said.

“Like most Victorians, she hates corruption and believes in fairness so we are very grateful that she has agreed to play such a key role. She is brilliant and a real force for good”.

Slug gate began when a Dandenong Council health inspector was accused of planting a slug inside the I Cook Foods facility, which the council denies.

Andrews holds the seat of Mulgrave on a margin of 8.2 per cent.