In Geelong, the Katos family has been linked to the fish business for around
fifty years, but Andrew
Katos is hoping it will put him in tune with a different audience.

Being in small business, you’ve just got that experience of running something, so when you actually get into government, you’re not sitting there having to rely on advisors 24/7.

Katos is the Liberal Party candidate for the marginal Labor seat of South Barwon, which covers Geelong, Torquay and the surrounding areas, and he says his experience running the family business has set him up well for a career in politics.

“Being in small business, you’ve just got that experience of running something, so when you actually get into government, you’re not
sitting there having to rely on advisors 24/7,” he says.

Katos says his business background, as well as
his commerce degree, shows experience managing
budgets.

“And I feel that the Liberal Party is better placed to
do that because we’ve got a very diverse team of members,” he says.

“Whereas, if you look at
the ALP side in the parliament, the vast majority of them
are former union officials.”

The Katos family fish business began in the 1950s, when Andrew’s father moved to Geelong from Greece, and has since expanded to retail, wholesale and processing.

“My dad was one of the first to fish for scallops in Port Philip Bay,” he adds.

But this isn’t Katos’ first foray into politics – he’s been on the Geelong council for the past two and a half years.
He says he first joined the Liberal Party as a response to the costs being imposed on his business.

“I’d had enough and I thought it was time to take some action myself,”
he says.

In this election, South Barwon is being touted as a very winnable seat for the Liberal Party, with news this week that Greens preferences could help get them over the line.

Katos wouldn’t comment on preference deals, but says the voters will decide on issues. He says key issues
for the region include public
infrastructure, such as sports facilities, the lack of secondary school options in Torquay and the lack of kindergartens, and law and order.

“It’s a big growth area, so they’re very concerned about the infrastructure that isn’t there,” he says.

The Liberal Party has already made several announcements in rural
Victoria in the first week of the campaign, including promising a new kindergarten for Barwon Heads
and decentralising the
Premier’s office.

But Katos says the Liberals won’t neglect the city.

“I think there’s definitely a mood for change in the country areas,” he says.

“But the trick to winning and keeping government is you’ve got to have that balance between looking after Melbourne and looking after the country areas.”

Katos rates himself as “the underdog” in the November 27 election.

“I’m coming up against
an incumbent government with an army of media advisors, so we’re going to work very hard to win the seat, but it can be done,” he says.

It could come down to
the wire, so Katos will
await November 28 with baited breath.

Neos Kosmos is running an ongoing series of profiles on Greek Australian candidates in the upcoming Victorian state election. To see the list, as it develops, click here.