Peel owner seeks Liberal preselection
The community is divided on news Peel Hotel owner Tom McFeely is seeking endorsement from the Liberal Party to stand as a ‘number two’ at the Victorian election this year.
McFeely revealed his intention to stand for an Upper House seat in an open letter to the community last week.
McFeely told Southern Star that while he would stand up for gay rights if he won a seat, he was not simply a ‘gay candidate’.
“I view myself as an individual small businessman … I feel strongly about things and I happen to be gay,” he said.
“I will in one sense be an advocate, but I certainly won’t be running on any gay platform. I think politicians are there to represent every voter.”
McFeely is seeking endorsement to run as a second candidate to Liberal Matthew Guy who currently holds the northern metropolitan region seat and is expected to re-contest.
The news has received mixed reception with comments on Southern Star’s website claiming McFeely had “sold out” with his choice of party.
McFeely said he knew there would be “some opposition” to his decision but said he believed the Liberal Party would better serve the GLBTI community.
“I actually see it as an opportunity for both the Liberal Party and the gay community,” he said. “If you research it… the Liberal Party’s done quite a lot for the community, and I think it’s unfortunate that they’ve had a bad rap over the years.
“I think it would be a win-win situation.”
McFeely said his main motivation to enter politics was based on his “strong views” on law and order and small business.
On his chances of preselection McFeely said he was “optimistic”.
The Sunday Age reported that McFeely had “the support of senior Liberals” for the northern metropolitan region seat.
“There’s not really a lot I can say until I see what happens … I am optimistic as every candidate is optimistic,” he said.
Hi “Dave”
Your comments appear to mirror “John” in MCV. My response is the same. You think I’ve made millions? You think I don’t support the community?
Let’s have a face to face to understand each other better.
And if you support Gay Rights and not Equal Rights…..
keep your money love; don’t drink at my pub. I don’t need customers who are bigots against the rest of society.
So, “Dave” or “John” or “Whoever” if you want to contact me direct just in case you’ve misunderstood my comments. I’m happy to meet and explain myself further.
Tom McFeely has said in The Age he does not support Same Sex Marriage and supports only Civil Unions.
What other Gay Rights does Tom not support?
He has made millions while the Labor Party was in office due to a flourishing GLBTI community.
I never thought the money I spent at the Peel could go towards stopping Gay Marriage!