Narracan electorate - candidate profiles

Disillusioned with the major parties and party politics, Guss Lambden has put himself forward as an independent candidate for Narracan.

With the slogan “Together we can in Narracan,” Mr Lambden believes electing an independent member for Narracan would deliver benefits to residents.

“Independents have shaped a lot of the major decisions in federal parliament so there’s no reason why an independent won’t do well in Narracan.

“Independents have made a difference at the federal level. We can’t let the major parties waste another four years of our future in Narracan.

Mr Lambden previously ran for Latrobe City Council in the 2016 local government elections.

He said the council experience, and encouragement from Member for Morwell Russell Northe, inspired him to stand for Narracan.

Mr Lambden said local jobs for local people was a major concern.

He said there were many people who missed out on jobs and local work that had been outsourced.

“Let’s try to employ local people first and promote local business.

Mr Lambden said he was a big supporter of the very fast train project to Gippsland.

“It has been on the table for a long time. People expected it to be delivered 12 years ago.

Mr Lambden said funding for a new West Gippsland Hospital was the “big ticket item” in this election.

He said $217 million had been committed by the Labor government to further expanding Latrobe Regional Hospital, but West Gippsland had received nothing. “There is an imbalance there.”

Mr Lambden said changes to the power industry in the valley and closure of Hazelwood had impacted on a lot of people in the Warragul area.

“We are paying ridiculous prices for power. We have another 32 years of brown coal reserves. There is no reason that can’t continue past 2050 with low carbon emissions.

A drug rehabilitation centre also is on Mr Lambden’s wish list for projects in Narracan.

He said mental health was one of the largest issues faced by the community and it needed to be addressed.

He said a centre to assist and support women and men who were victims of family violence also needed to be established.

If elected, Mr Lambden said he was confident he would be heard in state government.

“You don’t go into it thinking you can’t have a say. I am looking at it that I will represent the people of Narracan so if I am lucky, I will be elected.

“You have to represent the people 110 per cent. It’s time for the voters of Narracan to vote Independent and say to the major parties we have had enough of your empty promises.

Mr Lambden has a military background but left the navy 10 years ago. He now works as a delivery contractor.