Cephalonia-born Kon Vatskalis has told electors in Darwin that if elected to the office of Lord Mayor next month he will mend Darwin City Council’s “lack of connection with the public.”
Promising to “make Darwin alive again” the former NT Government MP and minister told Neos Kosmos: “I’m running on a theme of ‘change’. Many in the community are not happy with the way Darwin is heading. We believe that much more has to be done for the city to grow and thrive.”
Running against sitting Lord Mayor Katrina Fong Lim who has held the post since 2012, Mr Vatskalis has put forward a ‘five-point plan’ which includes reinvigorating Darwin CBD, giving the council more clout in planning decisions, more upgrades to public areas, and a greater focus on environmental sustainability.
His platform also includes a promise to create a ‘Senior’s Office’ that will work with NGOs and the NT government to better co-ordinate services to the elderly. Mr Vatskalis has vowed to improve what he says is the council’s ‘failed’ record on addressing public concerns.
“There has been a lack of connection with the public . . and the council has failed by a lack of common sense and not making decisions – instead having ‘talk-fests’. There’s been a lack of focus and vision. This has to change, and the time has come.”
As an NT government minister Mr Vatskalis previously headed a slew of portfolios including Health, Business and Economic Development, Essential Services, and Children and Families.
Since his retirement from Territory politics in 2014 his appointments have included Regional Director NT for the Leukaemia Foundation and public officer of the Greek Orthodox Community of Northern Australia.
Keen to present his non- party political motivations in his bid to become mayor, the former Labor minister said: “I’m standing as a citizen who cares for Darwin, and I will do so passionately.”
“If I have a blue with the [Labor-controlled] NT Government in support of the people of Darwin, I bloody well will!”
The Darwin City Council election will take place on Saturday 26 August. Other candidates include aldermen Mick Palmer and Gary Haslett, and One Territory leader Braedon Earley.