Former Carlton player Anthony Koutoufides has launched a bid to become Lord Mayor of Melbourne.
At a rainy campaign launch today, Koutoufides declared he’s on a mission to revitalise the city,
“As we all know it’s been voted the world’s most liveable city for a long time, but it’s not that anymore,” he said.
”Where are the people right now?” he asked.
“It’s obvious. The safety, the homelessness. If you’ve spoken to the cafes and the restaurant owners, they’re all screaming,” he said of the mostly empty city streets.
Koutoufides played 300 games for Carlton from 1992 to 2007.
He admitted that he’s far more comfortable on the footy field than he is running for office.
“The premiership will always be the greatest day of my life and I don’t need exposure,” he said of the Blues’ 1995 premiership.
“I still get it, I don’t know why but I do, so it’s not about me.
“It’s about the city of Melbourne and the people.”
The 51-year-old is running on an independent ticket.
Koutoufides will go up against incumbent Nick Reece and former deputy mayor Arron Wood.
“It’s gonna put me out of my comfort zones but out of comfort zones is where growth happens,” he said.
Melbourne voters will go to the polls for council elections in October.
