Liberal party representatives, supporters and Oakleigh locals gathered at Eaton Mall’s Vanilla Lounge last Thursday night for Jim Grivokostopoulos’ campaign launch.

The Liberal candidate for Oakleigh was joined by his fiancée Raylee and two of their three children, Thea (Theodora) and Nathan (Ignatius). Among those who attended were the Leader of the Victorian Liberal Party Matthew Guy, Liberal candidate Nick Stavrou, Nick Kotsiras, former member for Bulleen and Jan Kronberg, former member of the Victorian Legislative Council.

Jim Grivokostopoulos joined by his fiancée Raylee and two of their three children, Thea (Theodora) and Nathan (Ignatius). Photo: Costas Deves

Upon his endorsement by the Liberal party in June, Mr Grivokostopoulos had promised to “provide that voice for all residents in Oakleigh” that the “current state government has not allowed [them] to have”.

With the state election fast approaching, his campaign launch conveyed a similar message under the motto ‘Enough is enough’, with the Liberal candidate calling constituents to recall COVID restriction policies adopted by the Labor governing party over the last two years.

“Remember the lockdowns, remember the closures of parks, schools, remember not being able to see your loved ones. Remember not being able to be with loved ones in hospital when they were dying, alone.

“I’m standing for our freedom, I am standing for your family and mine, I am standing so that future generations, for my kids, for your kids, so that they have better opportunities and I am standing for integrity and for truth,” he said expressing hopes that “the seat of Oakleigh will turn blue in 2022”.

Supporters of the Liberal candidate for Oakleigh at the campaign launch. Photo: Costas Deves
Leader of the Victorian Liberal Party Matthew Guy (second from left) and (pictured next to him) former Minister Nick Kotsiras were among those present at the event. Photo: Costas Deves

Considered a safe seat for Labor since taking it over from the Liberal party in 1999, the seat of Oakleigh is currently held by Steve Dimopoulos, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events and Minister for Creative Industries.

Mr Grivokostopoulos was the first Greek Australian to be elected Mayor of Manningham City Council in 2013.

According to the bio published on the Victorian Liberals party, he is the owner of a small transport business and his parents immigrated to Victoria from Greece in the 1960s.

Other declared candidates for Oakleigh are Loraine Fabb for the Animal Justice Party and Hsiang-Han Hsieh for the Australian Greens.

The Victorian State election will be held on Saturday 26 November.