By Cara Waters and Broede Carmody
Former Carlton champion Anthony Koutoufides is weighing up a run for Lord Mayor of Melbourne in the upcoming October council elections.
“I’m considering it,” he said. “I really want to look at it because I am keen to do something if I can.”
“I love this city, I love this country,” he said.
Anthony Koutoufides streaming towards goal during his playing days.Credit: Pat Scala
Koutoufides said a friend had asked him to run and he was in discussions, but he was still undecided about whether to say yes. “There are still a few hoops to get through,” he said. “I’m borderline, I don’t know which way to go.”
He declined to say whether he would run as an independent or for a party. “I don’t want to say too much yet,” he said. “There is still a bit to do.”
Koutoufides played 278 games for Carlton and was part of the Blues 1995 premiership-winning team.
He went on to become a reality television star appearing as “Kouta the Greek God” on Gladiators and competing in Dancing With The Stars, which he won in 2006, and runs a fitness business.
If he chose to run, the AFL great will take on Nicholas Reece, who was sworn in as lord mayor this month. Reece replaced Sally Capp, Melbourne’s first directly elected female Lord Mayor, after she stepped down to end a six-year stint.
Anthony Koutoufides said he loves Melbourne and is weighing up his options. Credit: Simon Schluter
The only other declared candidate is pollster and veteran candidate Gary Morgan, 82, following the withdrawal of former shock jock turned federal senator Derryn Hinch, who said he could not afford the campaign cost of $250,000 to $500,000.
Former mayoral candidate Arron Wood is expected to take another tilt at the job but has not declared his candidacy yet.
Wood was acting Lord Mayor in the aftermath of the Robert Doyle resignation after multiple harassment allegations and was at one stage deputy Lord Mayor to Capp.
Arron Wood is tipped to run but has not announced his candidacy. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
Former Labor-endorsed candidate Phil Reed is also expected to run but is yet to declare.
Nightspot proprietor Nick Russian, media figure Eddie McGuire and veteran radio broadcaster Neil Mitchell have all ruled themselves out.
The Victorian Liberals will formally endorse a suite of candidates for a seat at the City of Melbourne, including Lord Mayor, but the party is remaining tight-lipped on who the candidates will be.
It’s a first for the political party, which has until now – unlike the Greens – shied away from allowing prospective councillors to use its official colours and logo.
Liberal Party members have of course run for council in the past on their own or collective tickets, including sitting councillor and failed candidate in the Aston federal byelection, Roshena Campbell.
City of Melbourne councillor Roshena Campbell, who ran as Liberal candidate in Aston.Credit: Eddie Jim
The Victorian Liberal Party’s administrative committee voted to endorse a Liberal ticket for the City of Melbourne elections, according to two sources familiar with the discussions.
The sources spoke to The Sunday Age on condition of anonymity because they are prevented from openly discussing party matters.
An email to members, seen by this masthead, said nominations for the position of Mayor, deputy Mayor and councillors were currently open and that prospective candidates would have until Friday, July 26 to register their interest.
“The Libs, for the first time in history, are deciding to take local government seriously,” one party member told The Sunday Age. “It’s a good training ground and the Greens have been using it for decades.”
The development comes after the party last year passed a motion agreeing to investigate whether it should run candidates in the 2024 local government elections.
It is understood that, at this stage, the party only intends to endorse City of Melbourne candidates as a first step.
One Liberal source said this would upset some members who were hoping to seek official endorsement for wards in Melbourne’s well-heeled east and south-eastern suburbs after fighting for decades for local government to be recognised in the Liberal constitution.
“Party branding brings votes,” the source said.
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