By LIAM DURKIN
OFF and racing.
Two more candidates have joined the battle to become the federal member for Gippsland and Monash respectively.
Monash incumbent Russell Broadbent has announced he will be recontesting as an independent, while prominent Latrobe Valley voice Greg Hansford is running on the One Nation ticket for Gippsland.
Mr Hansford faces the unenviable challenge of trying to defeat Nationals member Darren Chester, in what has been one of the safest Nationals seats in the country for more than 100 years.
While Mr Hansford acknowledged the challenge, he said he was up for it.
“One Nation is the best party to meet the needs of Gippsland. We’re pro-farmers, pro-HELE power stations, and pro-business, and we’ll fight to ensure the region thrives,” he said.
“I’m committed to ensuring Gippsland remains a great place to live and work. From our farms to our towns, we need leadership that understands local challenges and prioritises real solutions over empty promises.”
Mr Hansford secured 9.46 per cent of the vote in the last federal election, and said he was confident in building on this momentum to deliver real outcomes for the community.
The Gippsland hopeful says his campaign will focus on reducing cost-of-living pressures, supporting rural industries, and ensuring Gippsland’s voice is heard in Canberra.
Mr Hansford was present at the Nuclear for Australia talk in Morwell last Sunday, sporting a One Nation t-shirt and cap.
On the back of the shirt read “we’ve got the guts to say what you’re thinking”.
MEMBER for Monash, Russell Broadbent announced on Monday that he will be recontesting the seat of Monash as an independent.
Despite some concerns surrounding his age, the 74-year-old said there was “unfinished business” for the electorate.
“Truth. Wisdom. Justice. Fairness and Freedom. These are the values that I’ve stood by during my years as a parliamentarian,” he said.
“People across Monash have called on me to stand again, and that is exactly what I intend to do.
“I have always focussed on getting what’s best for Monash. I am answerable to the people, and I’m driven by what is right, not what is politically expedient.
“We are facing unprecedented, uncertain and unexpected times, and heading into what I believe is a very difficult political climate.”
Mr Broadbent has said he won’t be accepting any financial donations, because he “will not be beholden to any individual, interest group or party”.
One of his opponents, independent Deb Leonard has taken a different approach, with the donations tab on her website stating “We believe that you should be able to see who is donating to election candidates in real time, so you can make a decision about whether they are influenced by outside sources.”
Ms Leonard has been very transparent regarding donations, with the amounts received publicly available. Understandably, a lot of donations have come from her family, but Climate 200 has also donated more than $200,000, Regional Voices $30,000, while an anonymous contributor chipped in $50,000.
Liberal candidate Mary Aldred now has time to dedicate fully to the campaign trail, after stepping down as Head of Corporate Affairs at ANZ for Fujitsu Asia Pacific last week.
It is unclear yet whether the Nationals will put someone up, while sources close to the Express say a current Bass Labor Branch member might be joining the race.
Mr Broadbent lost his majority at the last election, something Ms Leonard made a point of during her campaign launch last year.
Such a statistic was enough for her to declare “Monash the most winnable seats for an independent”.
With Monash now taking in traditional Labor territory in Moe, the margins could swing even more.
