Derryn Hinch confirms next big career move
Former Senator for Victoria and radio personality Derryn Hinch has revealed that he will be running for Lord Mayor of Melbourne this year.
A formal announcement will be made once he has found his deputy candidate.
The 80 year-old shock jock told the Herald Sun that he wanted to “get the city back on its feet” and fix problems with the city’s “woke council”.
He also told 3AW, the radio show he used to host, that he was planning to run with the slogan “Make Melbourne Magnificent”.
“We used to be so proud of this place,” he said. “Let’s do some things that’ll make us proud again.
“I’ve been getting hundreds of emails and Facebook posts with a lot of good ideas from people on what they’d like to see changed.”
He added that he would reveal further details on his policies later, but has said that one of the things he'd like to change is the graffiti in the city, which he believes “needs to be totally wiped out” and "tough penalties" should be given when people are caught.
"I have no illusions … that it’s gonna be hard work,” he said. “I’ll be doing my best to win”.
He also said he wanted to investigate if property owned by the city council can be converted into further Melbourne housing.
Hinch also said that he is looking for a female running mate who has state or council experience.
The shock jock speculated that he would be running against Sally Capp, the current Lord Mayor of Melbourne, who has been in the role of Lord Mayor for two terms over six years, and may run again in October.
Hinch has been in journalism for 63 years and moved into politics in 2015. He served as Senator for Victoria from 2016 to 2019, and only dissolved his party last year.
Image: Getty