18 parties and one independent seek Upper House election

The candidates represent 18 political parties, up from the 16 from the 2014 election, while Michael Fozard of Trafalgar stands as the sole independent.

Harriet Shing will seek re-election, although she is listed behind Jane Garrett on the Australian Labor Party ticket.

Others seeking re-election in Eastern Victorian Region are Melina Bath of the Nationals, Liberal Edward O’Donohue and Jeff Bourman of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party.

The other sitting member, Daniel Mulino of the ALP, will not contest following pre-selection for federal parliament.

Animal Justice Party The Animal Justice Party’s Leah Folloni will contest her third election.

A local business owner and resident in Emerald, Leah has been an animal lover since she was born and has rescued animals since childhood, cared for orphaned wildlife and she now runs a selffunded small animal sanctuary with more than 30 rescued animals including sheep, goats, horses, cows, roosters, alpacas, dogs and cats.

She is a passionate vegan and animal activist and believes in a world without cruelty, abuse and killing of other non-human and human animals.

Jennifer McAdam of Selby is also on the Animal Justice Party ticket.

Transport Matters Trevor Salmon of Gembrook hopes to address the maintenance and safety of Victorian roads, especially where heavy vehicles transport their goods.

“Throughout my life I have been involved with many forms of road transport, as a child born into a transport business family, as an owner and as a driver,” he said.

“This is an industry I am very passionate about.”

Trevor, 59, has two children and two grandchildren.

Joshua Roperto of Bundoora is also a candidate.

Liberal Democrats Anti-compulsory voting campaigner Ben Buckley of Benambra is the lead candidate for the Liberal Democrats.

The 82-year-old supports the right to hold firearms and the importance of education around the use of firearms, and will advocate for shooters’ rights if elected.

Rob McCathie of Pakenham is the party’s other candidate.

Voluntary Euthanasia Party Michelle Hain of Thorpdale will stand for the Voluntary Euthanasia Party.

The Voluntary Euthanasia Party of Victoria was established to provide a clear political outlet for people who support the introduction of voluntary euthanasia legislation.

Martin Barnes of Inverloch is also on the party ticket.

Health Australia Party Research scientist Dr Geoff Pain of Monbulk has completed many years of extensive study and professional on the job work, focusing on the sciences, medicine, business management, economics, and certain aspects of environmental law, among a wide range of other disciplines.

Dr Pain assisted lawyers seek compensation for communities exposed to and affected by industrial emissions.

Over the past 17 years he has reviewed extensive research on the effects of fluoride on living creatures, which has led to him becoming an authority on the science behind the safety of fluoride.

Katherine Holmes of Emerald is also a candidate.

Australian Liberty Alliance Mark Brown of Parkdale is standing for the Australian Liberty Alliance.

The party is set on humanistic foundations, social fairness and an integrated multi-ethnic society with one set of laws for all, regardless of colour, gender or creed.

Daniel Jones of Epping is also a candidate.

Australian Greens Tom Cummings of Berwick has a professional history in the IT and finance sectors.

Having developed a gambling addiction that tore his world apart, Tom is a committed advocate for gambling law reform.

Transitioning to a new energy future, supporting a sustainable future for farmers and protecting forests are also on Tom’s agenda.

Other candidates for the Australian Greens are Lachlan Mackenzie of Bunyip North, Neale Adams of Mount Eliza, David Gentle of Ivanhoe East and Donald Stokes of Heidelberg. Shooters, Farmers and Fishers Vic Incumbent Jeff Bourman of Hampton East will be hoping for reelection.

Jeff started shooting rabbits and foxes at the age of 14 on the family farm in the Wimmera region.

Jeff’s working career has been varied, going from administrative jobs, security guard roles and working in a car wrecker, to joining Victoria Police. After leaving the force in 2000 he became an IT contractor.

Jeff has endured three paid confiscations of his firearms in 1989, 1996 and 2003, and wants to bring fairness for law abiding firearm owners, fishers and other rural folk.

Kerrie-Anne Muir of Denison is also a candidate.

Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party Rhonda Crooks of Trafalgar joined Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party following the Senator’s successful initiative to cancel passports of convicted paedophiles within his first year of parliament.

“It became apparent that I share the same concerns about justice, particularly leniency around bail, sentencing and parole,” she said.

“Additionally the ridiculousness of convicted sex offenders afforded anonymity to protect their welfare.

“How can our children be warned who to avoid when the law protects the perpetrator and not the potential victim?”

If elected, Rhonda hopes to explore further employment opportunities in agriculture and tourism.

Philip Seabrook of Rosebud is also on Hinch’s ticket.

Australian Labor Party ALP junior vice-president Jane Garrett of Carlton North is the lead candidate for Gippsland East.

Jane studied law and arts and was admitted to legal practice in 2000.

Jane practised law in the areas of industrial relations and discrimination law for six years. She has served as an advisor to former Premier Steve Bracks and is a former mayor of Yarra Council.

Jane is 41 years old and was born and raised in the inner northern suburbs of Melbourne. She is married and has three children.

Harriet Shing of Morwell, Patrick Kelly of Kilsyth, Linda Clarke of Rosebud and Onno Van Den Eyne of Morwell are other candidates.

Hudson 4 NV The Hudson 4 NV party has been set up in northern Victoria to serve northern Victoria.

The party will also field candidates in other upper house electorates.

Megan Whittaker of Bunbartha is the lead candidate for Eastern Region, with Kristy Hudson of Tatura also on the ticket.

Sustainable Australia Reade Smith of Tyabb is also president of the Sustainable Australia party.

A former senior constable with the Victoria Police, Reade retired from the force to manage a Frankston based youth leadership and empowerment program called Youth At Risk.

Reade has 12 years local government experience as a former Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor, including a stint as mayor.

He is concerned by climate change and environment issues.

Reade and his partner Amanda will soon be celebrating their 20th anniversary.

He has two adult daughters and five grandchildren.

Donna Hannaford of Frankston is also a candidate.

Australian Country Party Rob Danieli of Frankston South is chairman of the party.

Rob is a former councillor and has been an active member of local community groups advocating improved water and agricultural policies.

Tony Geitenbeek of Mirboo North is also a candidate.

Victorian Socialists Alisha Cruse has lived in Upwey for 30 years.

Before retiring last year she worked in the community sector, most recently with women exiting prison who were homeless.

She is passionate about social justice issues, in particular refugee rights, and has been involved in several campaigns including picket lines.

Russell Fordon of Mooroolbark is also a candidate.

Aussie Battler Party Vern Hughes lives in Tonimbuk with his partner Libby.

He is an advocate for families, communities and self-help groups, and has worked with individuals and groups for social justice and a better life for 40 years.

Vern has been a writer, practitioner and networker in community, church, social enterprise and cooperative movements.

He is convenor of the campaign to reform NDIS and convenor of Parents Families Carers (a national voice of parents and carers in disability, mental health, aged care and education).

Vern is a member of St Thomas’ Anglican Church, Bunyip and a lover of the round-ball form of football.

Paula Mattson of Neerim South is also a candidate.

Liberal/Nationals Coalition Liberal party incumbent Edward O’Donohue of Mount Martha is the lead candidate on the Coalition ticket.

Raised in Moorooduc and schooled in Mount Eliza, Edward has spent most of his life on the Mornington Peninsula where he now lives with his wife and three young children.

He completed a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of law, going on to practice as a solicitor and barrister before becoming a director of a successful real estate and project management company.

Edward’s current portfolio includes shadow minister for Police, shadow minister for Corrections and shadow minister for community safety.

Nationals party member Melina Bath of Koonwarra is also an incumbent.

Other candidates are Meg Edwards of Fish Creek, Karen Chipperfield of Berwick (Liberals) and Darren How of Traralgon (Nationals)

Labour DLP Padraig O’Hea of Bunyip is the lead candidate for Labour DLP.

A fundamental policy of the DLP is to promote social and economic justice, a fair and decent society for families and a sense of national direction that will help to make Australia prosperous, self-reliant and secure.

Larry Norman of Ferny Creek is also a candidate.

Fiona Patten’s Reason Party Carmel Close of Warragul joins a record number of candidates for the party.

Fiona Patten’s Reason Party hopes to push for an evidence-based approach to drugs and crime and treat religious institutions like a business if elected back into parliament.

Gregory Bell of Rowville is also a candidate.

Independent candidate Michael Fozard of Trafalgar is the sole independent candidate for the Eastern Victoria Region.

“Make Gippsland great again” is the political slogan for the Yarragon businessman.

The former Baw Baw Shire Councillor is no stranger to politics, being a Democrats candidate for Narracan in the 1999 election.

Mr Fozard said he was interested in the development of prosperity of the community and was worried at current trends in people’s feelings towards politicians.