Major parties endorse Greek Australians in Melbourne and Perth

Two high profile Greek Australian councillors from Melbourne and Perth have been endorsed to contest seats in their respective states.
Jennifer Kanis, a Councillor to the City of Melbourne since 2008, has been endorsed by the Labor Party for the Melbourne District, the seat vacated following the departure from politics of Bronwyn Pike, the former minister in the Bracks and Brumby governments. Ms Kanis will contest the seat in the by-election to be held Saturday 21 July which is described as the mother of all electoral battles in metropolitan Melbourne.
Eleni Evangel, a Councillor to the City of Perth since 2005, has been endorsed by the Liberal Party for the Perth District currently held by the Labor Party. Ms Evangel will contest the seat in the 2013 state elections in Western Australia.
Jennifer Kanis is a lawyer and practices in employment, industrial relations and anti-discrimination law. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Ms Kanis was a secondary school teacher and communications consultant.
Eleni Evangel has an academic and professional background in Education and Media and has become a familiar face in Western Australia presenting on MRGTV and Channel 9 over the years and has co-produced with Russell Goodrick, the international documentary, Mikis Theodorakis: the Man the Genius, the Legend.
Both candidates have cut their teeth in local Government. Ms Kanis was elected in Melbourne City Council in 2008 and holds a variety of portfolios including Chair of the Future Melbourne (People and Creative City) Committee and Deputy Chair, Future Melbourne (Planning) Committee. She is also Co-Chair of the Parks and Gardens Advisory Committee; Chair, Disability Advisory Committee; Chair, Family and Children's Advisory Committee and Co-Chair, Indigenous Advisory Panel.
Ms Evangel was first elected to the City of Perth in 2005 and was re-elected in 2009. She Chairs the Marketing Committee and is a member of the Council's Planning committee. Additionally her passion for the City extends to Northbridge where she is involved with many of the local groups and issues.
Both ladies are due for a gallant battle in their respective electorates, in order to succeed in their quest for a seat in their respective state parliaments.
Melbourne District is held by the Labour with a six per cent majority, but the ability of Ms Kanis to maintain the Labour tradition in the seat hinges mainly on the decision of the Liberal Party to field a candidate. If the party leadership decide against fielding a candidate - as they did in the recent by-election in Niddrie - the election will become a two party contest with the Greens fighting desperately for their first seat in the Legislative Assembly of the Victorian Parliament.
In the 2010 elections, the Liberals preferenced the Labor Party ahead of the Greens, an arrangement that ensured Bronwyn Pike's re-election with an increased majority. However the withdrawal of the Liberals from the contest will enable the Greens to challenge for their share of the 28 per cent of the vote the Liberals collected in the last state election.
Ms Evangel faces a bigger hurdle in Perth, where seating Labor member, John Hyde, enjoys a comfortable 7.7 per cent majority. Common logic suggests it will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for a fist time candidate to beat such odds.
But, as in the case of Labor, the Liberals count on the popularity, unique qualities, and the track record in Local Government - as well as the impeccable communication skills - from their candidate.
As for the candidates, neither underestimates the greatness of the feat they have undertaken. However they remain positive and promise to spare no effort in their fight to achieve their goal.