Morland books Libs’ ticket

By Rebecca Fraser
CASEY councillor Mick Morland is one step closer to State pre-selection in Narre Warren North after being chosen by the Liberal Party as their pre-selection candidate.
Cr Morland knocked out former Casey councillor Ben Clissold in what was believed to be a close contest on Sunday, but was staying tight-lipped about the matter this week.
He said his name had been chosen and put forward as the candidate for Narre Warren North and the Liberal Party would officially endorse this within the next few weeks if they believed he was a suitable candidate.
“If they believe I am a worthy Liberal party candidate then I will be selected.
“It will be two to three weeks before I know if I have officially been endorsed,” he said.
Cr Morland would not comment further due to Liberal Party policy but if selected he is expected to run against Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan.
Former Springfield Ward councillor Ben Clissold was equally quiet about his unsuccessful pre-selection bid.
Mr Clissold said he would not rule out standing again for pre-selection but said he was looking forward to pursuing his business interests and other opportunities in the community.
“Life goes on and there is a lot of opportunity out there,” he said.
“I am looking forward to forming a community group in the Narre Warren South area.
“I want to stay involved in the community but I did not have the level of involvement and time required to be a councillor again
“I have had to let some great business opportunities pass in the last six years and am now looking forward to pursuing these interests,” he said.
In other pre-selection news former Mayfield Ward councillor Michael Shepherdson has received pre-selection as the Liberal candidate in Narre Warren South.
He is now tipped to run against current Narre Warren South MP Dale Wilson.
Mr Wilson has yet to be re-endorsed by the Labor Party, although he said this week he was confident he would be.
This week Mr Shepherdson was quick to brand Mr Wilson a non-performer and said his three-year term had been a huge disappointment and a time of lost opportunities.
Mr Shepherdson said Mr Wilson was quick to stand up in Parliament and pat the Government on the back when he should instead be touting Casey’s road and infrastructure needs.
“The area has stagnated since he became MP and residents are disappointed with the lack of progress in the area.
“New infrastructure is meeting yesterday’s demands and is not keeping up and there have been many lost opportunities,” he said.
But Mr Wilson said he was not surprised by Mr Shepherdson’s comments as this was all part of an election campaign, and publicly congratulated him on his new role.
He said he wished Mr Shepherdson well in every endeavour except for the state election and was happy with his achievements this term.
“I acknowledge that all cannot be done and if I got everything I asked for over my past term I would be a very popular man.
“I will continue to push my wish list to the Premier and many more things will be done,” he said.