African refugee's bid for council seat

An African refugee who fled war-torn Congo will run for a seat on a southeast Queensland council when he gains his Australian Citizenship.

Blaise Itabelo, who has lived in Australia for four years, says he will nominate himself as a candidate for Division Five in the Logan City Council so he can fully participate in Australian democracy.

"To become a citizen of Australia is a great privilege and I want to waste no time in participating in the greatest country in the world," said Mr Itabelo, who spent almost 16 years in refugee camps.