Tony Lupton, the 67-year-old former Labor MP, is re-entering politics and has announced his intention to run independently for his old seat of Prahran.

Lupton who represented the inner-city electorate for nearly a decade during his time with Labor, cited frustration with his former party’s “disappointing” choice to avoid contesting the upcoming byelection on 8 February.

“It is very disappointing” that Labor did not run a candidate, said Lupton, “but it’s allowed me to come out of political retirement and represent the people of Prahran again.”

“In my opinion, the Labor Party has too often been tempted to align with the Greens to retain seats traditionally considered Labor strongholds,” Lupton told Neos Kosmos.

His bid as an independent adds an unexpected twist to a race previously seen as a showdown between the Greens and the Liberals.

“I’m the candidate with the Labor background and traditional Labor values.

“I will support the government where it should be supported and pressure the government to do things for Prahran.”

As an independent Lupton said that he will “hold them [Victorian government] and all the other parties to account when they’re not doing the right thing.”

Tony Lupton enjoying his coffee with the local community. Photo: Supplied

Greens opposition “thrive on division”

He will be running up against the Greens, who recently suffered defeats in Melbourne’s local government election in the city’s north over a focus on the Middle East.

“This election for Prahran, and Victoria will focus on the issues that matter to people in their communities here.

“The Greens are putting their attention on issues that are far removed from Prahran and Victoria,” Lupton said.

Lupton says that the rise of anti-Semitism, culminating in firebombing of synagogues has been exacerbated by the Greens.

“The Greens have been responsible for a lot of that social division and frankly, they should be ashamed of themselves.

“It’s just appalling the way the Greens have supported the tearing away of the social fabric – they thrive on division,” Lupton said.

Lupton said that the Greens have been “whipping up their supporters” yet, “the electorate are appalled by this sort of behaviour”.

“People tell me that they’re not able to feel safe going into the city on weekends.”

“People in my community are avoiding the city and they don’t feel safe.

“The feeling is that a lot of people have, in the community, that there’s too much chaos – that political leaders are being reactive and are not showing strong leadership that communities need when these sorts of issues arise.”

Rising state taxes demoralise Greek community

Lupton said he will tackle new taxes and imposts on small business and investment properties.

There has been a growing concern amongst Greek small business owners and property investors about the increased costs of running retail shops and hikes in property tax.

“I would hold the Labor Party and the government to account on the way they impose unfair taxes on ordinary people, especially with things like land tax.”

“Land tax has been hiked up to a ridiculous level and I know this affects the Greek community in a big way.”

“Many Greeks have an extra property for the kids, it is their form of savings, and it is an appalling tax – it doesn’t take into account people’s ability to pay it – it’s a regressive tax,” Lupton said about the hiked-up land tax.

“It puts a big impost on people, regardless of their ability to pay, and I would raise this issue strongly with the government – that they must do something about that.

Lupton was meeting Greek senior citizens “and the things that they were concerned about was land tax and aged care services and crime.”

Greeks are natural allies that can’t be forgotten

Lupton sees Greeks as “traditional allies and constituents” who are, “disillusioned” with what “the Labor Party has been doing recently.”

“Someone like me, who has the traditional Labor values and can speak up about these things – I can influence the Labor Party to do better.”

Lupton who grew up Catholic, and whose wife and daughters are Jewish said “I have a great relationship with the Greek community here in Prahran.”

“I know they’ve supported me strongly in the past and I hope that they continue to support me now and I’ll support them, in every way.