2 days ago
10
Before last year’s national election, the federal seat of Bendigo was safe Labor territory.
But Nationals candidate and publican Andrew Lethlean put a stop to that. He achieved a swing of more than 10 per cent against sitting Labor MP Lisa Chesters, whose electorate now sits on a margin of under 1.5 per cent.
Lethlean achieved a feat few thought was possible. But in November, he is hoping to better last year’s performance and dethrone Premier Jacinta Allan in her electorate of Bendigo East.
The margins are similar – Allan holds her electorate by 10.8 per cent. However, the Nationals hope that as the Victorian government struggles in opinion polls and accumulates plenty of political baggage after three terms, Lethlean’s high local profile and campaign experience will be enough to hand them victory in Bendigo East for the first time in seat’s history.
Lethlean spoke to the media beside the still water of Lake Weerona on Tuesday as he was officially confirmed as the Nationals’ candidate for Bendigo East.
“I was born and bred in this town and I love this town, but I think we’ve been neglected for quite a while now,” he said.
Lethlean told reporters people were “aching for change”, but conceded he faced a greater challenge in facing the premier this November than he did at the federal election last year.
Lethlean said he had been running restaurants, bars, pubs and nightclubs for the past 30 years.
“I’m not a career politician. I just want to make a difference for the country and the region. And I hope my life experience is going to help.”
Victorian Nationals leader Danny O’Brien said fielding a strong candidate in Bendigo East would force the premier to focus on her own patch during the statewide campaign.
“Absolutely, we think this will make the premier have to look in her own backyard and work harder here,” he said.
The election is still more than six months away and campaigning is yet to begin in earnest. On Tuesday, the only obvious candidate placards were those that O’Brien, Lethlean and upper house MP Gaelle Broad were waving beside the road at Lake Weeroona.
Bendigo East resident Jim Evans has dealt with both Allan and Lethlean. When Evans turned 90 last week, he received a card and personal note from the premier.
He said Allan took the time to meet with him and discuss his group’s concerns when he was president of the Bendigo Historical Society.
“She does listen to you,” Evans said.
Evans, who has a bias towards Labor, was elated when Allan was elected in 1999.
“My wife and I both said at the time: [she] will be premier of Victoria.”
Bendigo East voters do appreciate their local MP has statewide responsibilities, Evans said, but they also expected her to take a strong interest in local matters too.
Evans wants the premier to intervene and stop the council from closing the Bendigo East pool during the winter months. He fears the temporary closure is a precursor to a long-term shutdown.
Evans, a former high school teacher, believes Allan faces a stiff challenge from Lethlean. Evans worked at Golden Square High School when Lethlean was a student there in the early 1980s.
“I knew him as a terrific footballer.”
Evans says Lethlean’s sporting prowess endeared him to his classmates. He believes Lethlean is well-known in the community and remains well-liked.
Evans expects Allan will retain the seat but will have to fight hard against Lethlean.
“It’s a big challenge. He stood up against Lisa Chesters and did very well,” he said.
Monash University politics associate professor Zareh Ghazarian said Allan’s profile as premier and the fact she has held the seat since 1999 should work in her favour.
“Bendigo East should be a safe electorate for Labor,” he said.
But Ghazarian cautioned a looming sense of electoral danger hung over the electorate even though the party’s primary vote fell by just 2 per cent at the previous state election. The premier’s substantial margin, though, should be enough to withstand the Nationals challenge, he said.
“If, however, there really is a mood for change, and Lethlean’s support continues to build, then this could well be one of the close seats to watch on election night.”
Should Lethlean achieve the impossible this time, it will no doubt go down as legendary in pubs and political circles for generations to come.
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
