LABOR'S chances of retaining Barton at the September 7 election have received a major setback with Rockdale councillor Michael Nagi poised to enter the contest.
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Mr Nagi, who has been a right-leaning independent on the council for the past nine years, ran for the state seat of Rockdale in 2011 and won almost 10 per cent of the vote.
He drew support away from Labor and helped John Flowers win the seat for the Liberal Party for the first time in 70 years.
Described as a possible "king maker" in the lead-up to the 2011 election, Mr Nagi has strong influence over Arabic voters in suburbs such as Banksia, Arncliffe and Turrella, where the vote could determine the result in Barton.
Mr Nagi said he was still making up his mind, but would "most likely" nominate. He rejected claims from the Labor camp that he had a record of supporting the Liberal Party and said, if he ran, he would not direct preferences.
"I don't care about Labor or Liberal," he said.
"All I want to do is to make Barton more marginal, which would make both major parties take more notice of it.
"It has been a safe Labor seat for too long, so we never get anything."
AT A GLANCE
Labor candidate for Barton, Steve McMahon, said ‘‘it’s a democracy and anyone is able to run’’.
Liberal candidate Nick Varvaris was not available for comment.
Labor holds the seat with a margin of 6.9 percent, but the retirement of Robert McClelland could narrow the gap.
Will Michael Nagi have an influence in Barton?
