FORMER Mayor and current councillor of the Macedon Ranges Shire Council (MRSC) Dominic Bonanno is taking unpaid leave from the MRSC to contest the state seat of Macedon as an independent candidate.
Cr Bonanno becomes the third councillor to elect for the state election alongside former Mayor and current councillor Kate Kendall who is running for the Liberals and former Mayor Annette Death who will be running for Labor.
“While I am not legally required to take leave from Council to contest the state election, I intend to seek leave for an appropriate period during the campaign.” Cr Bonanno said in a statement.
“The decision to stand for state parliament is not one I have made lightly. It is a significant commitment, not only for me but for my family, and one we have discussed and considered carefully together. Ultimately, however, the decision to put myself forward is mine. After considering what it will mean for my family, my council responsibilities and the community I serve, I have decided to stand as an independent candidate for Macedon.”
Although Mr Bonanno is taking unpaid leave from council, it does propose the concern from community members in the shire, who see three separate councillors all contesting the state election against each other.
Would there be internal conflict between the councillors who are now running against each other?
The Review has been told Cr Kendall independently submitted a notice of motion for a leave of absence before Bonnano’s decision, to also take unpaid leave from council to ensure a clear separation of roles.
Mr Bonanno also ran for the 2022 state election as a Liberal candidate but was unsuccessful.
Bonanno returned from a six month leave earlier this year and was caught drink driving in November last year in his mayoral vehicle.
