MP: Lyons a failed mayor
Couzens hits out at Dazza in battle for Geelong
LABOR MP Christine Couzens has come out swinging against political rival Darryn Lyons, accusing him of being a “failed mayor” who delivered little for Geelong.
As revealed by the Geelong Advertiser yesterday, Mr Lyons is planning a tilt at State Parliament in Ms Couzens’ seat of Geelong.
The ex-mayor is set to run as an independent, paving the way for a potential preference deal with Liberal candidate Freya Fidge, a move which could ultimately unseat Ms Couzens.
Mr Lyons was elected Geelong’s mayor in 2013 with 30 per cent of first preference votes, but his tenure ended in chaos in 2016, with the council sacked by the State Government after allegations of misconduct.
Despite Mr Lyons enjoying strong pockets of support, Ms Couzens said she was not concerned about a looming chal- lenge with the former paparazzi boss.
“He’s entitled to run just like anyone else, but I think the people of Geelong are aware of his form,” she said.
“Darryn Lyons headed up a council as a mayor and delivered nothing for Geelong. There was a lot of talk but no action.
“His record stands as a failed mayor.”
The comments are not the first time the pair have exchanged barbs in public.
In 2015, Ms Couzens lambasted Mr Lyons in State Parliament as a “one-trick pony who cares more about selfies than he does about jobs and services”.
In return, Mr Lyons has regularly criticised Ms Couzens’ record in office.
But Ms Couzens — who has served as an MP since 2014 — said she had a history of “getting things done” for the community.
Labor has maintained the seat of Geelong since 1999 and now holds it with a margin of 6 per cent.
Mr Lyons, a former Liberal Party member, is currently overseas and could not be contacted.
During his term at City Hall, Mr Lyons lobbied strongly for the 25m floating Christmas tree in Corio Bay, which now serves as a popular attraction during the festive period.
According to council figures, more than 160,000 peo- ple visited the attraction between November and January.
Nominations for the Victorian state election open on October 31.