Kanga's resignation came on the eve of last year's Caulfield Cup carnival after The Age raised questions about loans and the use of his car in a 22-kilogram cocaine trafficking case. Financial records show he had taken out loans with people in the short-term lending market. The Age does not suggest Kanga was involved in any criminal activity, and he has never been accused of any crime. Assam "Sam" Lababidi said Kanga had no involvement in his criminal operation.
In his statement, Kanga said he was not interested in making promises he could not deliver. He said his campaign would not be aligned with Melbourne Racing Club vice chairman Jonathan Munz, who took Kanga's vacant MRC board seat last year. "I am an independent candidate," Kanga said. "I respect Jonathan and agree with most of his views on what is best for the industry, but he is not involved in my campaign and did not encourage me to run as a candidate."
Four seats on the VRC board are up for grabs. Chairman Neil Wilson is stepping down, leaving one vacancy, while directors Vin Cox, Glen Carmody and Michael Saadie are up for re-election. More nominations are expected before Thursday's close. If more than two candidates are deemed suitable, all four seats will go to a members' vote at the end of the month, with changes announced at the club's December annual general meeting.
Kanga said his focus was on better service, better value for money and a better race-day experience for VRC members at Flemington. He pointed to his tenure at the Melbourne Racing Club, where his board saved Sandown Racecourse from being sold for housing development and he cut beer and food prices. Kanga also expressed openness to the possibility of merging Melbourne's metropolitan clubs, saying proper due diligence and member support would be needed.
The election is shaping as one of the most contested in the club's history, following the board's decision to name Cox as Wilson's successor before the annual general meeting. An inside source quoted by The Age claimed Cox was given the nod 6-5, a margin that could be reversed if at least one director were replaced.