At least three Labor Party members are vying to run for the seat of Tarneit following incumbent MP Telmo Languiller’s announcement that he will not seek re-election in 2018.
Star Weekly understands Jasvinder Sidhu, Wyndham councillor Intaj Khan and Altona North resident Sarah Connolly will put their hands up for pre-selection when nominations open next month.
Mr Languiller announced on Saturday he would not re-contest the seat of Tarneit in the November, 2018, election. He has held the seat since 2014. Mr Languiller, who was first elected to Parliament in 1999, has also held the seats of Sunshine and Derrimut.
His announcement follows his resignation as Speaker in February after controversy surrounding almost $40,000 of living allowances.
Last week, western metropolitan MP Bernie Finn took Mr Languiller to task for failing to speak in Parliament on behalf of his constituents since the scandal broke.
Hours after Mr Languiller’s announcement, Mr Sidhu, a university lecturer and founder of not-for-profit group Let’s Feed, sought support from a number of Labor Party members via email.
“As a local Tarneit resident, I understand the pressures that residents are facing, whether it be increased cost of living, or congestion on some of our busiest roads,” his email read.
“I am incredibly passionate about the community in which I live and work … with your support, this is the energy and experience that I will take with me to the Victorian Parliament.”
Mr Sidhu’s email comes more than a week after Ms Connolly, a 36-year-old mother of two who has a law degree and works in the energy industry, started her pre-selection campaign.
Cr Khan told Star Weekly he would nominate for pre-selection.
“I’m not sending any emails … I’ll be speaking one-on-one to a number of members,” he said.
Cr Khan will face the Werribee Magistrates’ Court next month to contest nine charges relating to the filing of register of interest returns and an alleged failure to disclose all of his business and property interests.
Star Weekly understands former Wyndham councillor Glenn Goodfellow and Hoppers Crossing small business owner Dinesh Gourisetty have both put their hands up for Liberal Party pre-selection for Tarneit.
