Nominations close today for election

Nominations for the May 18 federal election close today.

At least seven candidates will take on the first battle for Monash including candidates from five political parties and two independents.

Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers said a correctly completed nomination form and accompanying deposit must be received by noon today.

He said incomplete or late nominations would not be accepted.

This is the first election for Monash, that was renamed following a redistribution of boundaries last year.

Sitting Liberal member Russell Broadbent will face his eighth election for the seat, previously known as McMillan.

Other candidates include the ALP’s Jessica O’Donnell of Drouin; The Greens’ William Hornstra of Moe; Pauline Hansen’s One Nation candidate Jeff Waddell of Drouin; and United Australia Party candidate Matthew Sherry of Foster.

Independent candidates include Yarragon businessman Michael Fozard and Moe solicitor John Verhoeven.

The Liberals currently hold the seat with an eight per cent margin.

Mr Broadbent won the seat from the ALP’s Barry Cunningham in 1996.

After serving one term, he was defeated by ALP candidate Christian Zahra at the 1998 election.

He was re-elected in 2004 and has served as Member for McMillan for 15 years.

But, Mr Broadbent is quick to say he has never taken an election campaign for granted.

“I realise I am fighting very hard for every vote cast in this election,” he said.

Mr Broadbent said he was keen to stand again to “make a statement that people of my age (68-years-old) can still contribute to parliament and the nation.”

If elected, Ms O’Donnell, who is on leave from Baw Baw Shire councillor duties, will be the first woman to hold office in the Monash (McMillan) electorate.

She believes people are ready for a change. “We’ve been left behind in Monash for a long time. We need a community representative that works just as hard for their community as the community works for the community.”

The 2016 election saw a 2.5 per cent swing against Mr Broadbent.

ALP candidate Chris Buckingham recorded a 4.2 swing percent to the party while The Greens recorded a two per cent swing. No independents contested the seat. Both Mr Fozard and Mr Verhoeven have indicated they are standing as independents to offer people a choice, saying voters were disillusioned with the major parties.

Candidates will be declared at a ballot draw at noon tomorrow.

Police are investigating a number of stolen cars found burnt out in West Gippsland over the past week.

A Landcruiser valued at $13,000 was stolen from a Yarragon property last week and then set on fire.

The fawn coloured Landcruiser, with registration YQL508 was stolen from a shed on a property in Roberts Rd overnight on April 12.

The vehicle was later found crashed in Yarragon-Leongatha Rd and destroyed by fire.

A stolen Subaru Impreza also was found set on fire in Labertouche.

The vehicle, with registration OQA731 was found in Jackson’s Track at 9pm on April 13.

In another incident, the CFA attended a fire in Halls Rd, Nilma where a car was seen on fire in a paddock.

The fire occurred at 7pm on Thursday. A white Holden Commodore station wagon was set alight in a paddock.