Eddie Russell
Former Wyndham councillor and Melton property developer Intaj Khan is running for deputy lord mayor of Melbourne as second in command to AFL great Anthony Koutoufides.
Last week, ‘Team Kouta’ declared their intention to run in the upcoming City of Melbourne council election in October.
On the ticket is Carlton legend Anthony Koutoufides, who is gunning for the top spot as lord mayor, former Liberal MP Gladys Liu, property developer Zaim Ramani and Mr Khan.
For Mr Khan, the message is simple.
“Our job is to make the city vibrant again… that’s the reason we are running,” he said.
“The [current] leadership has failed. It’s time for ‘Kouta’ to clean up the mess.”
Mr Khan’s experiences as a councillor and committee member for Wyndham council have influenced his goals and helped him identify the big issues.
“The greatest thing I learnt was the importance of affordable housing,” said Mr Khan.
“We really don’t want there to be any council rate increases in the Melbourne city council municipality over the next two years so we can give an opportunity for those struggling with cost of living.”
Returning the city to its former state of financial ascendency and bringing workers back are major priorities, said Mr Khan.
“In the next four years, I’d like to see Melbourne’s CBD become a place where people want to invest money.
“We’ve got to understand the Covid era is over.”
Although an unlikely partnership at first glance, the duo “carry the same vision” for their beloved home.
“The one thing about Kouta is… he loves the city so much and when he says that, he means it,” said Mr Khan.
Mr Koutoufides’ AFL background is an endorsement of his character, Mr Khan said, who is a cricket lover himself.
“AFL is a fantastic game that teaches a lot about leadership and working in a team with different skills.
“He’s been a great captain. I think councillors will be glad to work with ‘Team Kouta’.
Mr Khan said Mr Koutoufides would be a breath of fresh air given his lack of political allegiances.
“You can trust in his leadership because he’s not been affiliated with any party… he brings balance to the table, which is what you need when the city is out of it.”
