THE candidates are falling into line for the election in the Federal seat of Monash, with an announcement about election day imminent.
The front runners including the Liberals’ Mary Aldred, Climate 200 backed independent Deb Leonard and former Liberal turned independent Russell Broadbent have now been joined by the ALP’s Tully Fletcher, relatively late to the fray.
With The Greens, The Nationals and a bevy of minor parties and other independents expected to run, there’s likely to be a Melbourne Cup field of candidates in Monash with the result in the seat expected to go deep into a preference count.
The Climate 200 organisation is targeting Monash via its support of independent Deb Leonard and with the disaffected, disendorsed Liberal Russell Broadbent also deciding to run, the campaign here is expected to be one of the most watched in Australia, especially with the pundits predicting a hung parliament and the crossbench MPs likely to have unprecedented power.
The ALP has issued the following statement in announcing its candidate for Monash.
The Australian Labor Party has selected Gippsland local Tully Fletcher as the federal Labor candidate for Monash. Tully is a third generation Gippslander and lives in Kilcunda with his partner Dani and their two kids, Daph and Ted, just down the road from where he grew up.
He was educated at public schools in Wonthaggi, Dalyston, and Leongatha, and spends summers at Wilsons Prom with family and friends. Tully works in business and government as an adviser to ministers, CEOs, and communities to deliver real change and improve the lives of all Australians. He led work with business and unions to create Australia’s first ever wage-theft laws to make sure all workers are paid right and paid on time.
Tully knows families, farms and businesses in Monash are under pressure and need a better deal. He’ll fight hard to deliver the services, infrastructure, mobile coverage, and internet speeds we deserve.
As a keen motorbike rider Tully knows how bad our roads can be and will make road safety upgrades a top priority for all drivers.
As part of your Federal Labor team, Tully will work to bring down the cost of living, protect jobs and wages, and ensure everyone in Gippsland can afford and access housing, health, education and care. Tully believes Gippsland voters in Monash deserve a federal MP who calls it like it is, shares our values, works as hard as we do, and gets things done. Monash will get a better deal with Tully.
Quotes attributable to Tully Fletcher, Federal Labor candidate for Monash:
“Monash voters have a clear choice this election: Peter Dutton-led Liberals who haven't delivered for Gippsland in two decades, or a fresh local Labor candidate raised in Gippsland, ready to tackle the cost of living, and fight for our fair share. All the Liberals are offering Monash are cuts and a nuclear power station we didn't ask for. Monash can't afford Peter Dutton and three wasted years of Liberal cuts and neglect. The only way to get a better deal for Monash, fix the cost of living, and stop Peter Dutton is to vote for Tully Fletcher and Labor. If you don't want Dutton, you must vote Labor.”
Please note: The South Gippsland Sentinel-Times was given the opportunity to publish two hours before the stated embago time of 4pm Monday, February 17, 2025.