GREGOR MACTAGGART
LATROBE Valley voters will go to the polls on Saturday, May 21 after the Federal Election was called by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Sunday.
Mr Morrison visited Governor-General David Hurley to dissolve the Parliament and launch the start of a 41-day campaign.
“This election is a choice between a strong economy and a Labor opposition that would weaken it,” he said.
“It’s a choice between an economic recovery that is leading the world and a Labor opposition that would weaken it and risk it.”
Labor needs to pick up eight votes on its current total of 68 to gain government and deliver a new Prime Minister in Anthony Albanese.
“I won’t go missing when the going gets tough,” Mr Albanese said on Sunday.
Polling has the Liberal-National Coalition as the outsider, with Roy Morgan showing a 57-43 gap in favour of Labor on a two-party preferred basis.
Latrobe Valley residents live in two Federal Electorates, Gippsland and Monash, both held by members of the Coalition.
Gippsland has been held by the National Party since 1922 and is one of the safest seats in the country.
Incumbent Darren Chester polled 66.67 per cent on a two-party preferred basis at the 2019 election.
Mr Chester, who has been in Federal Parliament since 2008, confirmed on Sunday he was ready for another election campaign.
“I want to use my experience as your local Member of Parliament to keep building a safer, stronger, fairer Gippsland, where everyone can get ahead,” Mr Chester said.
“I have a proven record of fighting for our region to deliver the services and infrastructure we need.
“By working with the community, I’ve been able to deliver record funding for large and small projects, major improvements to local services, bushfire recovery grants and given our region a strong voice on local and national issues.
“My plan is to keep working, to make our community the best place in regional Australia to live, work, visit and raise a family.
“I love Gippsland and I’m proud to have raised my family in our beautiful part of the world.
“We need to keep putting locals first, supporting one another, and building an even better Gippsland.”
As it stands, Mr Chester has four rivals during this election battle.
Traralgon resident Jannette Langley was pre-selected by Labor in December last year and knows she faces a task to build on a primary vote of 23.2 per cent attracted by Antoinette Holm at the 2019 election.
“This seat is a bit daunting as Darren Chester has held it for so long, but people in Gippsland are telling me they want a new ear to tell things to and a new voice from a united party,” Ms Langley said when she was announced as Labor’s contender.
Marjorie Thorpe will fly the flag for the Greens, which polled 6.04 per cent at the 2019 election.
“In Gippsland we need better access to better services like healthcare and education, and need urgent action to tackle the climate crisis,” Ms Thorpe said.
Rosedale’s Gregory Forster is the candidate for the United Australia Party, which polled 4.40 per cent in 2019 and is backed by billionaire Clive Palmer.
“It is time for representation in parliament by one of the people, for the people,” Mr Forster
said.
“The United Australia Party (UAP) is focused on providing workable, long-term solutions.
“We want to keep our minerals and other natural resources in Australia, process them here and promote manufacturing here.”
Newborough resident Greg Hansford will represent One Nation.
The race for Monash has more intrigue with sitting member Russell Broadbent (Liberal) up against six contenders.
Mr Broadbent polled 57.36 per cent on a two-party preferred basis at the 2019 election, but all eyes are on what impact his vaccination stance during the coronavirus pandemic will have at the ballot box.
The 71-year-old took a ”personal decision” to not get vaccinated against COVID-19 and then used the equine drug Ivermectin when he contracted coronavirus in January.
Labor candidate Jessica O’Donnell is back for a second tilt at Canberra after running in 2019.
Ms O’Donnell garnered a primary vote of 29.51 per cent in 2019, which after preferences saw her finish with 42.64 per cent on two-party preferred.
The Voices for Monash group is behind the Independent candidate Deb Leonard, a lawyer from Phillip Island.
Ms Leonard has welcomed the announcement of the election date, saying that it finally gives people the chance to have their say at the ballot box.
“It’s time that we had a strong, independent candidate that will represent the communities of the Monash electorate,” she said.
“I’m excited by the campaign over the next six weeks and look forward to meeting as many
voters in that time to hear about the issues that are important to them.”
One Nation, which polled a 7.62 per cent primary vote in 2019, has a new candidate in Allan Hicken.
Christine McShane is representing the United Australia Party, which garnered 4.01 per cent in 2019.
The Greens’ hopes rest with Mat Morgan as they look to build on a 7.01 per cent primary vote in 2019.
Meg Edwards is the Liberal Democrats candidate.
PLEASE NOTE: The print version of this story did not include Mr Hansford as the One Nation candidate for the seat of Gippsland.
