The political scandal engulfing state Labor is unlikely to have a significant effect on non-marginal regional seats in Bendigo, a political analyst believes.
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The Victorian Ombudsman found more than 20 Labor MPs signed off on payments worth almost $400,000 from taxpayers that went towards political campaigning to win the 2014 election.
Bendigo MPs Jacinta Allan and Maree Edwards, who hold their seats by respective margins of five and 12 per cent, were not among the MPs who approved payments.
The Labor MPs approved funding, quarantined for electorate office staffing, to instead be paid to individuals who campaigned in the electorates of candidates, including Bendigo East MP Jacinta Allan, who was was assigned one person.
Political analyst Kevin Bonham said some voters would be inclined to punish local candidates of the party responsible for the scandal, but the impact would “probably not be huge” when Bendigonians head to the polls in November.
“I don't think it’s the sort of thing that in and of itself is going to cause Labor to lose otherwise safe seats anywhere,” he said.
The Victorian Ombudsman’s report also named retired Northern Victorian MLCs Candy Broad and Margaret Lewis as among those who committed breaches of parliamentary rules.
Dr Bonham believed regional seats like Bendigo, held by Labor on solid margins, were not areas the Liberals would fight hardest in, rather more marginal sandbelt seats closer to Melbourne.
Bendigo West MP Maree Edwards said she would continue to advocate for her electorate.
“People know I’m a hard working MP. The work I've done over the past seven and a half years, hopefully people will acknowledge that and understand I continue to work hard for the electorate,” she said.
“I believe the electorates of Bendigo West and East were won on the back of good policy, hard work and listening to the community and what their needs were after four years of inactivity from the previous Liberal government.”
Ms Edwards said Bendigo’s well funded education and health sectors and continued job growth were important considerations for voters leading into the state election.
Bendigo East MP Jacinta Allan said: “The Premier (Daniel Andrews) requested that the Victorian branch of the Australian Labor Party reimburse in full, funds expended through the staff pooling arrangements.”
“The government is already taking a number of steps to make the parliamentary allowance system for MPs more transparent and accountable and will ensure the parliament is provided with all the support required to implement the Ombudsman’s recommendations.”