Former mayor aims higher

A FORMER mayor has been announced as the Liberal candidate for the federal seat of Holt.
Rowville resident Emanuele Cicchiello will have the task of winning the seat, which is currently held by the ALP, for the Howard Government
Mr Cicchiello, 33, served as a City of Knox councillor from 2000 to 2005 with a stint as mayor in 2004.
He said his time in local government would be of great benefit to his federal political aspirations.
“There are some similarities between local government and Federal Government,” he said.
“It’s about taking people’s aspirations and turning them into results and that’s what I believe the Federal Government has been very good at,” Mr Cicchiello said.
Mr Cicchiello is a secondary school teacher at Lighthouse Christian College in Keysborough.
He also has the added responsibility of being a senior school coordinator.
“Part of my role involves pastoral care of students. The school was incredibly supportive while I was on council and I have an excellent working relationship with the wider school community.”
The avid Carlton supporter is also supported by his wife of almost seven years, Isabella.
“I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I am also a patron of the Rowville Football Club.”
Mr Cicchiello will go up against sitting MP Anthony Byrne for the opportunity to represent residents of Holt.
Covering the suburbs of Endeavour Hills, Doveton, Eumemmerring and parts of Narre Warren, Berwick, Hallam, Hampton Park and Cranbourne, the electorate stretches over almost 150 square kilometres.
“I am standing because I want to see our local community and Australia continuing to prosper with the strong economic management provided by the Howard Government,” Mr Cicchiello said.
“I am committed to representing the people of Holt to ensure that our community gets the best possible deal from Canberra.”