AFL great and Dancing With The Stars champion Anthony Koutoufides’ dream of becoming Melbourne Lord Mayor has taken a major blow after he was caught breaching strict campaign rules.
Carlton legend ‘Kouta’, 51, has joined forces with convicted criminal Intaj Khan in an bid to take the prestigious job previously held by Sally Capp.
But his prolific Instagram account may have breached strict election rules.
Rules set out clearly by the Victorian Electoral Commission in its candidate handbook state mayor wannabes must comply with the state’s Local Government Act 2020 when it comes to running their campaign.
Among a swag of rules outlining the dos and don’ts of running for office is one stating ‘all electoral material must be authorised and must comply with the Act’.
‘Electoral material must not be printed, published, or distributed unless the name and address of the person who authorised the electoral material is clearly visible on the main side of the material,’ the rulebook states.
‘All electoral material posted to social media … must carry or directly link to an authorisation statement.’
But Koutoufides has been accused of breaching the laws on his personal Instagram page, which has 45,000 followers.
Under the law, the former footballer must include a disclaimer on all social media sites that includes his name and address.
It is information clearly stated on his official ‘Team Kouta 2024’ page, which unlike his personal Instagram site, has just 1675 followers.
‘Kouta’ has included businessman Intaj Khan on his ticket. In 2018, Khan – then a councillor in Melbourne’s west – was convicted on eight counts of failing to disclose interests as required by the Local Government Act
But Koutoufides’ personal Instagram site is littered with shameless spruiking of his bid for the state’s top council gig.
The site’s opening image shows Koutoufides smiling alongside Collingwood great Peter Daicos and Carlton legend Stephen Kernahan.
‘I was overwhelmed by the incredible support last Tuesday night, with around 150 people attending the Team Kouta Campaign dinner,’ Koutoufides told his followers.
‘A special thank you to AFL legends Stephen Kernahan and Peter Daicos for their support in my mission to make Melbourne the world’s most liveable city once again.’
Sources told Daily Mail Australia while likely a mistake, Koutoufides had reaped the benefits.
‘He may have unknowingly used his personal Instagram page to solicit his 45,000 followers to vote for him while failing to understand he was breaking VEC electoral advertising laws by not authorising his content,’ one source said.
‘But he was gaining advantage over all other candidates.’
The right way: Koutoufides’ Team Kouta Instagram page has the proper authorisation
The wrong way: Koutoufides’ personal Instagram page omits the authorisation statement
Koutoufides’ is campaigning on his personal Instagram page without the proper authorisation disclosure
The Local Government Inspectorate is responsible for enforcing rules for local council elections and investigating alleged breaches of the Local Government Act 2020.
Daily Mail Australia contacted the LGI on Friday but did not receive a response.
Nor did it receive an answer from Koutoufides, who rectified his personal Instagram page after being contacted.
Koutoufides has attracted good publicity leading up to the elections on the back of promises to offer workers free coffee each week and reduce public transport costs if elected.
His wingman is controversial Melbourne businessman and former councillor Intaj Khan, who will be named deputy if Koutoufides is successful.
In 2018, the then Wyndham councillor was convicted and fined $23,000 over a string of charges relating to his failure to disclose his company interests in the city’s west.
In January, Daily Mail Australia revealed Koutoufides had become embroiled in an ugly spat with the builder of his Ivanhoe mansion, north-east of Melbourne’s CBD.
The builder, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed Koutoufides and his wife Susie – who is listed as the property owner – provided no explanation for failing to pay the final instalment in October last year, with the bill reaching $180,000 then and growing.
Koutoufides had two stints on Dancing With The Stars, where he was crowned champion in 2006.
A dispute over Koutoufides’ Ivanhoe mansion (pictured) may yet reach court
Koutoufides was a beloved Carlton footballer in the 90s and early 2000s
The builder – a mad Carlton fan – accused Kouta of taking advantage of his support of the Blues.
The claims were hotly contested by Koutoufides and his wife, who engaged Melbourne lawyers Olivia Terziovski and Imran Fatah to fight their case.
Mr Fatah told Daily Mail Australia then that it was his client’s position that construction of the house was six months late and that independent expert inspectors had since found numerous defects.
It is understood the dispute may yet end up in court.
Kouta was an AFL powerhouse in the ’90s and early 2000s, playing 278 games for Carlton including a premiership-winning season in 1995.
He went on to become a reality television star with roles such as ‘Kouta the Greek God’ in the Seven Network’s 2008 revival of Gladiators and two stints on Dancing With The Stars, where he was crowned champion in 2006.
It is understood the breach could see Koutoufides fined thousands of dollars.
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