Mayor and psychologist Eden Foster likely to be Labor’s pick in Mulgrave

Political strategists say that in the absence of the former Premier’s personal vote, the contest for Mulgrave could be close.

City of Greater Dandenong Mayor Eden Foster is the frontrunner to contest the seat of Mulgrave for Labor. Picture: Supplied

The frontrunner to be Labor’s candidate in the southeastern Melbourne seat being vacated by Daniel Andrews is a 42-year-old mayor and school psychologist who grew up in the area and still lives locally.

Brought up by a single mother in Springvale and Noble Park – the latter of which is in the former premier’s seat of Mulgrave – Eden Foster is the mayor of the City of Greater Dandenong and commutes to work as a psychologist at St Aloysius College in North Melbourne.

ALP Socialist Left powerbrokers said Ms Foster was hardworking, personable and well-connected locally, with strong ties to multicultural groups.

She has Anglo-Indian heritage, and has previously worked as a substance abuse psychologist with a focus on methamphetamine users at Monash Health, and as a job capacity psychological assessor at the Department of Human Services.

Nominations to contest the seat held by Mr Andrews for 21 years opened on Friday, and are expected to close on Wednesday, with a preselection to be held the next weekend should there be a contest.

Multiple Socialist Left sources said Ms Foster was the star candidate, and it was not clear she would face a challenge.

The Left controls the seat because Mr Andrews was a member of the Left.

Mr Andrews won the seat with a 10.2 per cent two-party-preferred margin and 51 per cent primary vote in November, but political strategists believe the contest could be close should the Liberals preselect a strong candidate, given Labor will not have the benefit of the former premier’s personal vote.

The Liberal Party is yet to indicate when it will preselect a candidate, with Opposition Leader John Pesutto saying this week it would not be Michael Piastrino, who received a primary vote of 17.19 per cent in November.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with new Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan on Friday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Rebecca Michael.

In February, Mr Piastrino caused former Liberal leader Matthew Guy significant embarrassment after photos emerged of the latter at Mr Piastrino’s birthday party, alongside three criminal underworld figures who were friends with Mr Piastrino but believed to have been unknown to Mr Guy.

Independent Ian Cook, who ran against Mr Andrews after having had his catering business destroyed by the state’s health department in controversial circumstances, has indicated that he intends to run again, having received a primary vote of 18.01 per cent in the November poll.