The Liberal Party is yet to announce a candidate for one of Brimbank’s four federal seats.
The federal electorates of Calwell, Gorton, Maribyrnong and Gellibrand are among Labor’s safest seats nationally. But with the election just over a month away, the Liberals have not named a candidate for Calwell.
A Liberal Party spokesman told Star Weekly on May 14 that an announcement would be made the following week, but no candidate was named.
Calwell, which includes Keilor Downs, Keilor North, Sydenham, Calder Park and Taylors Lakes, is held by Labor’s Maria Vamvakinou.
Greens candidate and restaurateur Natalie Abboud, said the government’s current refugee policy of processing offshore was “akin to torture … inhumane, expensive and needs to stop”.
The Coburg-based candidate said she would run for Moreland council if unsuccessful in the July 2 federal election.
The seat of Gorton, which takes in Caroline Springs, Burnside, Hillside, Taylors Hill, Delahey, Kings Park, Albanvale, Deer Park and Derrimut, has been held by Labor’s Brendan O’Connor since 2004.
Liberal candidate Daryl Lang declined several requests for comment.
The Greens have nominated Rod Swift, a gay and lesbian rights campaigner, public transport advocate and environmentalist for the seat.
In Maribyrnong, Opposition Leader and Maribyrnong MP Bill Shorten’s 2013 Liberal rival, Ted Hatzakortzian, is back for another tilt. Also running is human rights campaigner Olivia Ball for the Greens.
Gellibrand’s Labor 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.
Liberal candidate Ben Willis, of Footscray, works in human resources and studies law part-time. Greens candidate Jonathon Marsden, a Williamstown resident, describes himself as a specialist in transport networks. Gellibrand takes in Ardeer, Brooklyn and parts of Sunshine.
– with Ben Millar and Sumeyya Ilanbey
