Oates won’t stand for reelection

By Rebecca Fraser
MYUNAWard councillor Brian Oates is one of three City of Casey councillors who will not stand for reelection in next month’s elections.
Mayor Neil Lucas and Springfield Ward councillor Ben Clissold failed to put their hands up for another term by the time nominations closed on Tuesday.
A total of 44 nominees are standing in Casey, including 14 candidates in Four Oaks Ward.
Speculation is now rife that Cr Clissold is in the running to stand against Labor MP Jude Perera for the state seat of Cranbourne.
Cr Clissold yesterday said he would not rule out the ‘rumours’, and choosing not to run again had been difficult.
“It is a decision that I did not want to take but I am at the stage in both my business and personal life when I need to take some opportunities that are there,” Cr Clissold said.
“I love representing the community but the time commitment of council has damaged my business and was not stacking up.
“But if I was in a paid position this would be different and I am definitely not ruling anything out.”
But Cr Clissold said he was surprised to see some current councillors had nominated again.
“They struggled to find the time to come to meetings and events,” he said.
“How does Angela Dunleavy propose running for council when she does not show up to meetings?”
In a written statement, Cr Oates said a recent overseas conference had given him the time to reflect on life as a Casey councillor.
“I missed my home and my family very much and thought of how precious time is,” he said.
“The City of Casey has been a very successful municipality and is held in high esteem across Australia and internationally.
“Myuna Ward is no more and Doveton has the premiership.
“So I think this is an appropriate time for me to bow out of local Government and announce that I will not be seeking reelection for the next term of the City of Casey.
“I will always have an interest, as we all should have, in civic affairs and wish the next City of Casey Council well in the fair and honest management of this great place for the next term,” Cr Oates said.
Cr Lucas said on Monday he had considered his future options and was looking to head in a different direction.
Oatlands Ward councillor Mick Morland was expected to run with Cr Lucas in Edrington Ward and only found out at 2.30pm Tuesday he had lost his running mate for the twocouncillor ward.
Cr Morland said he was “not happy” and would have to spend another $10,000 reprinting campaign leaflets.
“This will have a great impact on me because we were meant to run together,” he said.
“It puts me in a spot of bother because of the leaflets and now 15,800 will have to be printed again.
“I will also have to find another running partner, but that is life and he has made his decision for himself.
“You cannot expect someone to commit to another three years every day if they are not committed.
“He is heading in a new direction but it does make it hard for me,” Cr Morland said.
Cr Dunleavy was overseas on a personal holiday at the time the News went to print and could not be contacted.