Liberal and Greens candidates will be aiming to shake the ALP’s firm grip on the federal seats of Maribyrnong, Gellibrand and Lalor – among the safest in Australia – on polling day, July 2.
Opposition leader Bill Shorten, who has held the seat of Maribyrnong since 2007, says he has been an active local member who has spent his life standing up for people on low and middle incomes.
Mr Shorten’s 2013 Liberal rival Ted Hatzakortzian is returning for another tilt.
The Niddrie resident says he has a passion for helping the community.
“I understand the issues facing communities in Melbourne’s west and understand that growing the economy to create jobs for local families is a key priority,” he said.
The Greens will be represented by Carlton resident and human rights campaigner Olivia Ball.
“Only the Greens have the courage and vision to stand up for what matters: a better future of equality, justice, renewable energy and a sensible and compassionate plan for people seeking asylum,” Dr Ball said.
Gellibrand contest
Gellibrand incumbent Tim Watts, who took the baton from Nicola Roxon in 2013, said the past three years of Liberal government had been terrible for Melbourne’s west.
“Funding for our schools and hospital has been slashed, investment in renewable energy has collapsed, and the government stood by as thousands of jobs were lost at Toyota Altona and BAE Shipyards in Williamstown,” he said.
Liberal candidate Ben Willis, of Footscray, works in human resources and studies law part-time.
“I’m passionate about empowering small businesses which are the backbone of our economy and defending personal liberties,” he said.
Greens candidate Jonathon Marsden, a Williamstown resident, describes himself as a specialist in developing transport networks.
“We need to move quickly to a clean energy economy to reduce air pollution, reinvigorate manufacturing and make our neighbourhoods safe, prosperous and clean,” he said.
Lalor candidates
Labor’s Joanne Ryan has held Lalor since the 2013 election. The former school teacher and principal and Werribee local took over the seat from former prime minister Julia Gillard.
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The Liberals’ Gayle Murphy’s website stated the community had been taken for granted by Labor, and she pledged that she will be the “strong voice and real action local families deserve”.
The Greens’ Daniel Sova stated on his campaign website that he sees challenges caused by lack of infrastructure.
– with Goya Dmytryshchak and Adem Saban
