Former AFL player Anthony Koutoufides mulls tilt at Adam Bandt’s Melbourne seat, source says
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Exclusive: Failed lord mayoral candidate has campaigned before on platforms of forcing workers into the office and free coffees. The former AFL player and failed Melbourne lord mayoral candidate Anthony Koutoufides is considering a tilt at the Greens leader Adam Bandt’s seat at the upcoming federal election.
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A source close to the Carlton premiership player confirmed Koutoufides was approached to run as an independent in Melbourne and was expected to make a decision on his candidacy imminently, with the election due on or before 17 May. The source, who requested anonymity, would not disclose who made the approach.
Koutoufides made his first foray into politics at last year’s Melbourne local council elections, polling almost 13% to finish fourth on primary votes behind winner Nick Reece. Heading up the “Team Kouta” ticket, which included the former Liberal MP Gladys Liu, the one-time Dancing with the Stars contestant campaigned on a pro-business platform that included forcing CBD workers back to the office at least four days a week.
He made other headline-grabbing pledges, including the offer of free coffees for office workers on Mondays. The Age reported the “Team Kouta” ticket won just one seat on Melbourne city council despite spending $449,000, the bulk of which was contributed by Koutoufides’ running mate, the property developer Intaj Khan.
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