Wannabe Melbourne mayor Intaj Khan may be ineligible

A CONTROVERSIAL Wyndham councillor’s tilt for Town Hall could be over before it has even begun because of local electoral laws.

CONTROVERSIAL Wyndham councillor Intaj Khan’s tilt for Town Hall could be over before it has even begun.

Cr Khan was due to launch his election campaign today but doubts have arisen over his eligibility to be a candidate for the Melbourne Lord Mayor postal ballot.

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While Melbourne councillors can nominate to run, local government electoral laws mean those serving on other councils are not eligible.

Cr Khan had declared himself eligible because he is on the Melbourne electoral roll as a property owner and business director.

But a Victorian Electoral Commission spokesman confirmed that the candidate rules excluded sitting MPs, staff at the council, and councillors from other municipalities.

Cr Khan this morning said he was seeking legal advice and would discuss the hurdle with the VEC.

“How come a current (Melbourne) councillor is allowed to do it (nominate) but I can’t?” he said.

The 45-year-old had promised to extend trading hours in the CBD to midnight, provide a free ferry to Docklands and double the number of CCTV cameras in a bid to increase public safety.

Intaj Khan will run for Lord Mayor of Melbourne.

Cr Khan still faces eight charges over allegations of not declaring commercial interests while serving as a Wyndham councillor between February 2016 and February 2017.

The case is due to be heard in Sunshine Magistrates’ Court in June.

Businesswoman Jennifer Yang, 41, who was mayor of Manningham twice but quit the council in 2016 to run for a Labor Senate seat, will also run for the coveted position.

Melbourne mayoral candidate Jennifer Yang was formerly mayor of Manningham. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Ms Yang pledged to rid the council of its boozy culture. “Like all Melburnians, I have been shocked by the ­deterioration in behaviour and standards in Town Hall,’’ she said.

Ms Yang said councillors would be banned from drinking while on official council business. She also promised to give a voice to residents and businesses.

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Melbourne Greens councillor Rohan Leppert has also nominated for the election.

The election was called after Robert Doyle resigned as Lord Mayor amid a sexual harassment scandal.

Voters will receive their voting packs from April 23. Postal ballots have to be returned by 6pm on May 11.

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