AFL and Dancing With The Stars great Anthony Koutoufides’ dream of becoming Melbourne mayor has been dealt a blow after he was caught breaching strict campaign rules.
Carlton legend ‘Kouta’, 51, has joined forces with convicted criminal Intaj Khan in a bid to take the prestigious position previously held by Sally Capp.
But his prolific Instagram account may have violated strict election rules.
Rules set out clearly by the Victorian Electoral Commission in its candidates handbook, state mayoral hopefuls must comply with the state’s Local Government Act 2020 when it comes to running their campaign.
Among a series of rules outlining the do’s and don’ts of running for public office is one that states that “all election materials must be authorized and comply with the Law.”
“Election material must not be printed, published or distributed unless the name and address of the person who authorized the electoral material is clearly visible on the main side of the material,” the regulations state.
“All election material posted on social media… must carry or link directly to an authorization statement.”
But Koutoufides has been accused of breaking 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 indicated on your Official page of ‘Team Kouta 2024’, which unlike his personal Instagram site, has only 1,675 followers.
‘Kouta’ has included businessman Intaj Khan on its list. In 2018, Khan, then a councilor in Melbourne’s west, was convicted of eight counts of failing to disclose his interests as required by the Local Government Act.
But Koutoufides’ personal Instagram site is littered with brash comments about his candidacy for the state council’s top job.
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 once again make Melbourne the most liveable city in the world.”
Sources told Daily Mail Australia that although it was probably a mistake, Koutoufides had reaped the benefits.
“He may have unknowingly used his personal Instagram page to ask his 45,000 followers to vote for him without understanding that he was breaking the VEC’s election advertising laws by not authorizing his content,” a council member said.
“But he was gaining an advantage over all the other candidates.”
The Right Way: Koutoufides’ Team Kouta Instagram Page Has Proper Authorization
Incorrectly: Koutoufides’ personal Instagram page omits authorization statement
Koutoufides is campaigning on his personal Instagram page without proper authorization
The Local Government Inspectorate is responsible for enforcing the 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.
He also did not receive a response from Koutoufides, who rectified his personal Instagram page after being contacted.
Koutoufides has attracted good publicity before the election thanks to his promises to offer workers free coffee every week and reduce public transportation costs if elected.
His partner is controversial Melbourne businessman and former councilor Intaj Khan, who will be appointed MP if Koutoufides is successful.
In 2018, the then-Wyndham councilman was convicted and fined $23,000 on a series of charges related to failing to disclose his company’s interests in the city’s west side.
In January, Daily Mail Australia revealed that Koutoufides had become embroiled in a nasty dispute with the builder of his Ivanhoe mansion, northeast of Melbourne’s CBD.
The builder, who wishes to remain anonymous, claimed that Koutoufides and his wife Susie, who is listed as the owner of the property, gave no explanation for not paying the last installment in October last year, and that the bill reached 180,000 dollars at that time and continues to grow.
Koutoufides participated twice on Dancing With The Stars, where he was crowned champion in 2006.
A dispute over Koutoufides’ Ivanhoe mansion (pictured) may still go to court
Koutoufides was a beloved Carlton footballer in the 1990s and early 2000s.
The builder, a mad Carlton fan, accused Kouta of taking advantage of his Blues support.
The claims were hotly contested by Koutoufides and his wife, who hired Melbourne lawyers Olivia Terziovski and Imran Fatah to argue their case.
Fatah then told Daily Mail Australia that his client’s position was that construction of the house was delayed by six months and that independent expert inspectors had since found numerous defects.
It is understood the dispute could still end up in court.
Kouta was an AFL powerhouse in the 1990s and early 2000s, playing 278 games for Carlton, including a premiership-winning season in 1995.
He went on to become a reality star with roles such as ‘Kouta, the Greek God’ in the Seven Network’s revival of Gladiators in 2008 and two seasons on Dancing With The Stars, where he was crowned champion in 2006.
It is understood that the breach could result in a fine for Koutoufides of thousands of dollars.