No Greens, KAP Bendigo candidates yet

THE Greens and Katter’s Australia Party will field candidates in the federal election, but both parties are yet to decide who will stand. 

Greens candidate Kymberlie Dimozantos polled 12.29 percent of first preference votes in Bendigo in 2010, up from 7.25 percent from Greens 2007 candidate Toby Byrne.

Ms Dimozantos, who is the party’s 2013 campaign manager, said the Greens would choose a Bendigo candidate soon. 

“There is a pre-selection process,” she said. “We’re really looking forward to getting our candidate out there to talk about how they can make Bendigo a better place.

“I think people are changing their votes to the Greens because they want a fresh vision. People are tired of old party politics and they’re ready for a new party to step in.” 

Ms Dimozantos said the candidate would be chosen in the next month, but wouldn’t say how many had nominated for the position. 

Katter’s Australia Party Victorian state co-ordinator Norm Dunn said the party had four or five people vying for pre-selection in Bendigo.  “I’d hate to hazard a guess, but I’d say we’d know in around four weeks,” he said. 

“I think they would give Bendigo a strong voice, a voice that’s been lacking for some time. The party is growing around the Bendigo area.

“I think Bendigo would be very supportive of a 

strong candidate from Katter’s Australia Party.” 

Alan Howard ran as a Family First candidate in 2010 and received 4.22 per cent of first preference votes. 

He said he was considering running again but thought it would be unlikely.  “I think it’s going to be a very important election for Bendigo because we’ve had Steve Gibbons holding the seat for five elections now,” he said.

“That’s a very long time... I think we need a change.

“And I think people need to be more involved in the political system. 

“I frankly believe the adage that we get the government we deserve and many of us spend less time casting our votes than choosing the colour of the kitchen kettle we buy.”