STEVEN Oliver won’t rule out running for the seat of Bendigo in the federal election.
The National Party member, pictured, polled the second highest votes in the Bendigo West seat in the 2010 state election, and lost by about 6 per cent after preference distribution.
Mr Oliver said his name wasn’t in the hat “at this point in time”.
“I am aware of it and certainly won’t make any commitments one way or the other,” he said.
“If it’s something we decided to do, we’ll have a look at it.
“If we don’t, then we won’t.”
Mr Oliver is the chief executive of the Bendigo Football Netball League.
He wouldn’t say how entering the race would affect his life or if he had the passion to take on the role.
“Again, they’re questions that don’t need to be answered until people nominate,” he said.
“It’s all speculation.
“I understand my name’s been linked, but there are no answers... it’s not the time and place to answer.
“It’s not something that I’ve nominated for at this point in time.”
The party will contest the seat for the first time in 15 years and eligible candidates have until 5pm on Thursday, February 14, to nominate.
George Rankin was the last Nationals candidate elected to the seat in 1937.
The only candidates to confirm they will contest the seat are the ALP’s Lisa Chesters and Greg Bickley from the Liberal Party.
