Two Bendigo state election candidates are considering federal political campaigns, with preselection deadlines for the major parties on the horizon.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Former Nationals candidate for Bendigo East Gaelle Broad said there was “a possibility” of her nominating for preselection in Bendigo after ruling out the seat of Mallee, vacated by Andrew Broad.
Ms Broad confirmed she had been approached by those within the party to run for the Mallee, but said the size of the electorate and the commitment required dissuaded her from doing so.
Nationals Party president Larry Anthony last month told Fairfax Media he would like to see a woman Nationals candidate for Mallee.
Deputy Nationals leader Senator Bridget McKenzie, who has an office in Bendigo, on Wednesday ruled out contesting the seat of Mallee, with nominations for preselection for the electorate set to open on January 4.
Ms Broad, who polled just under 16 per cent of the primary vote in the state election, said she would make a decision on a federal campaign for Bendigo in coming weeks.
“It takes commitment and investment and to do campaign well you need to make that investment to connect to people,” she said.
The former radio presenter said she was heartened by the results of the state election after an exhausting eight-month volunteer campaign.
Read more:
Nominations for Nationals preselection for Bendigo open on January 28 and close on February 8.
Nationals candidate Andy Maddison polled just 3.6 per cent of the vote in Bendigo in 2016.
Another state candidate with federal ambition is former Bendigo West Liberal candidate Kevin Finn.
Mr Finn in November hinted he was keen for a federal campaign said he could not comment on preselection matters when questioned this week.
Nominations for Liberal Party preselection in Bendigo opened in December but the Liberals have been unable to confirm when their preselection contest will be held.
Bendigo West Greens candidate Laurie Whelan, who is on the Greens’ federal campaign committee for Bendigo, confirmed he will not run for the party.
Nominations for Greens’ preselection close on January 10.
The federal election is expected in the first quarter of this year.
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.
