Election hype hits town
by Yvette Brand
As candidates scramble to put the finishing touches on their campaigning and potential party election promises for the electorate, preferences could play an interesting role in the currently safe seat of Monash.
To date, campaigning has been absent of any grand pork barrelling commitments to sway voters, leaving the electorate to weigh up what is predominantly becoming a battle of the major parties versus one independent and several minor parties.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson brought election hype to Warragul last week during a fleeting visit where party supporters crowded around for a modern day election selfie grab rather than to talk policy and politics.
In Monash, how-to-vote cards for One Nation candidate Allan Hicken has placed the ALP’s Jessica O’Donnell in sixth position, higher than sitting Liberal member Russell Broadbent. With One Nation securing 7.6 per cent of the Monash vote in 2019, it may make preference flows interesting.
Mr Broadbent, whose current term began in 2004 (as Member for McMillan), holds the seat with a 6.9 per cent majority.
Mr Broadbent and Ms O’Donnell went headto-head in the 2019 federal election where Mr Broadbent attracted 46 per cent of the primary vote, a decrease of 3.5 per cent. Ms O’Donnell increased the ALP’s vote in Monash by 1.75 per cent, attracting 29.6 per cent of the vote.
Ms O’Donnell is hopeful One Nation preferences will boost the ALP’s position.
“We received 40 per cent of their preferences last election and that was on a split card.
“I am feeling a lot more positive than last time. There is a large groundswell for choice and I’m hearing that constantly,” she said.
Mr Broadbent, who is seeking his seventh consecutive term in office, said it was always important how voters cast their preferences and this election would be no different.
“It’s unlikely I’ll get any preferences this time... but yes they are crucial, yes they are important and I just hope some flow my way,” he said.
Mr Broadbent doesn’t believe his decision not to be COVID vaccinated will impact votes at the ballot box.
“Everyone has their personal choice and I made my decision based on advice to me.
While the vaccination issue may have divided some sections of the community, Mr Broadbent is confident it won’t affect him. “I don’t think it will divide the vote.”
The Monash ballot paper will be: Mat Morgan of Leongatha (Greens); Russell Broadbent of Pakenham (Liberal); Deb Leonard of Cape Woolamai (Independent); Allan Hicken of Traralgon (Pauline Hanson’s One Nation); David Welsh of Sunderland Bay (Australian Federation Party); Jessica O’Donnell of Drouin (Australian Labor Party); Megan Edwards of Fish Creek (Liberal Democrats); and, Christine McShane (United Australia Party).
The Greens candidate Mat Morgan said it was “entirely up to the voter” where they allocated preferences.
However, The Greens have adopted a national approach to its how to vote cards and will direct voters to vote for candidates and parties based on their climate policies.
Mr Morgan said placing the ALP above Liberal and putting One Nation last on every vote card would guarantee a vote for The Greens. “A vote for The Greens will never go to the Liberals.”
At the 2019 election One Nation received 7.6 per cent of the primary vote in Monash. Mr Hicken has set only one target to beat that vote - “I want to win, I want change.”
Liberal Democrats candidate Meg Edwards is confident of her potential in the seat. “Anything is possible...the only time it’s not possible is if you don’t turn up.”
Ms Leonard is not directing preferences. She said having an independent candidate gave voters a chance to have their say at the ballot box. “It’s time that we had a strong, independent candidate that will represent the communities of the Monash electorate,” she said.
Early voting is open at 57 Sutton St, Warragul (former St Paul’s year nine centre), 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 4pm on Saturday.