With 70 days until pre-polling opens, Murray Plains – which has long been one of the safest seats in Victorian Parliament – is ripe for the taking.
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The retirement of a 24-year Nationals heavyweight, former party leader Peter Walsh, has left a vacuum that other parties are lining up to fill.
And they’re coming from every direction.
Gannawarra Shire Mayor Garner Smith is hoping to ride Pauline Hanson’s orange tsunami to victory.
Campaspe Shire Councillor Zoe Cook wants to change the shade of green.
And just this week, Victorian Socialists confirmed they would throw their hat in the ring.
Hoping to fend them off and defend the Nationals’ heartland is former Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking.
The Riv has asked the three confirmed candidates why they, on a personal level, are running and why the people of Murray Plains should vote for them as their representative.
For Mr Smith, it’s simple.
“I’ve felt the problems facing our area first-hand,” he said.
“I’ve done what I can to address it as mayor, and I want to take the next step.
“I was a Nationals member for years, they’ve controlled this area for 100 years and we’re looking at passing on a worse standard of living to our children.
“Something needs to change.”
Ms Cook’s motives are similar.
“There’s limited impact local government can make,” she said.
“I think this is the next step in advocating for our community in terms of state issues like affordable housing and public transport.
“I want to give people a young, progressive voice to vote for.
“I come into politics with a compassionate perspective, and I see the compassion people in this area show every day.”
Mr Hosking also sees his candidacy as a natural progression.
“I’ve held a number of advocacy roles with groups which you join to help the community function,” he said.
“It’s this desire to serve the community which led me to put my hand up.
“We’ve been neglected by government for too long, which I’ve seen first-hand.
“I want a government which supports growth and enables locals to control their own destiny."
When asked why people should vote for them, all three cited their track records.
Mr Smith said he had stayed true to his beliefs throughout his career.
“I’ve taken all the principles I hold into mayorship, and I’ve managed to unite the councillors and staff behind a community-first direction,” he said.
“I was a ministerial advisor in my 20s, travelling in limousines and visiting parliament, it was like a fantasy.
“But I decided I needed to have a solid grounding in the world, so I left to open a small business, get married, raise a family, and do all the things which make us human.
“I bring knowledge, I bring experience, I bring understanding, and I also bring a real-world perspective.”
Ms Cook also highlighted her lived experiences.
“I’ve got a good track record of advocating for things we deserve more of in Murray Plains, like housing, sporting infrastructure and public transport,” she said.
“I want to bring a compassionate voice to the table representing how people out here always lend a helping hand when someone needs it and want to help their community.
“I’ve seen how much people care for each other in different ways through my involvement as a netball umpire, an amateur thespian and a cricket player.
“I think bringing this level of care and being a representative of it is something Murray Plains needs to get the best for our community.”
Mr Hosking said he had a record of actualising his values.
“I’ve got a long history of demonstrating my passion for rural communities through my actions, be it through the VFF or involvement with my church and the CFA,” he said.
“My family has always lived and worked here, and I’m a family person first and foremost.
“My kids are choosing this community as where they want to make this future, which to me, means I’ll fight for this community.
“I’m here for the long term, I believe in community, and I know it’s cliched, but I truly believe the best days are ahead of us for Murray Plains.”
To check your enrolment or sign up to vote, visit vec.vic.gov.au/enrolment/check-my-details