Former radio personality and politician Derryn Hinch announces next move

The former talkback radio star and Senator has issues with Melbourne’s “woke council” and is toying with the slogan, “Make Melbourne Magnificent”.

Former Senator for Victoria and radio personality Derryn Hinch has said he will be running for Lord Mayor of Melbourne this year, with a formal announcement coming once he’s found his deputy candidate.

The 80 year-old shock jock has been in journalism for 63 years, and moved into politics in 2015. He served as Senator for Victoria from 2016 to 2019, and dissolved his party in 2023.

Mr Hinch told the Herald Sun he sought to “get the city back on its feet” and fix problems with the city’s “woke council”.

He told 3AW, the radio show he used to host, that he was planning to run with the slogan “Make Melbourne Magnificent”.

“We used to be so proud of this place,” he said. “Let’s do some things that’ll make us proud again.

“I’ve been getting hundreds of emails and Facebook posts with a lot of good ideas from people on what they’d like to see changed.”

Controversial former politician and shock jock Derryn Hinch is looking to become Mayor of Melbourne in the October election. Picture: NCA Newswire / Nicki Connolly

While he said he would be giving further details on his policies later, Mr Hinch said the city’s graffiti “needs to be totally wiped out”, giving out “tough penalties when people are caught”.

He also said he wanted to investigate if property owned by the city council can be converted into further Melbourne housing.

I have no illusions … that it’s gonna be hard work,” he said. “I’ll be doing my best to win”.

Mr Hinch said he was looking for female running mate who has state or council experience.

The former host has been part of several controversies from his radio work, proudly talks about his prison sentences in his bio on The Big Smoke.

“Jailed for naming pedophile priest, served 5 months under house arrest for naming serial sex offenders and jailed 50 days for contempt of court in 2014,” his bio writes.

He is also currently battling an aggressive skin cancer, beginning treatment in March.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp has been in the role for six years so far. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brendan Beckett

With the current Lord Mayor of Melbourne being Sally Capp, Mr Hinch speculated he would be running against her again come the October election.

However, he also suggested it was possible for her to resign beforehand, leaving Deputy Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece the Acting Lord Mayor going into the election.

Mr Reece said the claims that he was seeking support to be a candidate himself “are simply not true”.

The only other current nominee is Roy Morgan Research executive chairman Gary Morgan, who has contested the role five times before this year.

Ms Capp has been in the role of Lord Mayor for two terms over six years, and has suggested she may run again this October.