CANDIDATES for the federal seat of Bendigo launched their election pitches on Monday and highlighted a range of priorities.
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The campaign is in full swing, five weeks out from the September 7 election.
Labor candidate for Bendigo Lisa Chesters said her priorities were jobs, education and health.
Ms Chesters released her plan for key projects in her first term agenda. It includes upgrades to the Calder Freeway and money for the Kangaroo Flat Aquatic Centre.
The document also detailed priorities on making Bendigo a “university city” and lobbying for defence contracts.
Liberal candidate Greg Bickley matched support for the Kangaroo Flat aquatic centre and the Calder Freeway.
But he said “restoring the economy” was the main priority for Bendigo.
“We need to restore confidence by getting rid of the carbon tax,” he said. “We need to get the economy going again.”
Mr Bickley said the election campaign would highlight the main differences in policies of the parties to give voters “a clear choice”.
“The intensity lifts now,” he said. “We’ll be out there talking to people everyday.”
Greens candidate Lachlan Slade listed Centrelink payments, climate change and renewable energy as major local issues.
He said a big question for Bendigo voters was the treatment of asylum seekers.
“The Greens are the only party with a humane solution to asylum seekers,” he said.
Nationals candidate Sarah Sheedy said roads and infrastructure were the biggest priorities.
The Nationals candidate said she also wanted to see upgrades to the Bendigo airport and funding for university and TAFE colleges.
Australian Sex Party candidate Charlie Crutchfield listing decriminalising drugs and marriage equality as two of his biggest concerns.
The Rise up Australia Party candidate Sandra Caddy said her major worry was the “Islamisation of Australia” and the decline of agricultural production.
Independent candidate Matine Rahmani said he was focused on “providing inspirational leadership”.
He said his main priority in the election campaign was telling the truth and answering the question.
“Without these core principles, the candidates cannot be trusted and will not take our country forward,” he said.
