MONASH independent Deb Leonard told a packed room of teal t-shirted supporters at Newhaven on Sunday that recent polling indicated she could win the seat at the next Federal election, as little as 15 weeks away.
Ms Leonard, who secured almost 11 per cent of the vote at the May 21, 2022, behind the eventual winner, Russell Broadbent of the Liberal Party on 37.79%, and the ALPs Jessica O’Donnell with 25.60% of the vote, said conditions had changed.
“It needs people support like what we are seeing here today to make it happen, but the polling tells us that Monash is the most winnable seat in Australia for an independent,” Ms Leonard said.
“The Liberal Party has preselected a relatively unknown candidate, we don’t know if Russell Broadbent intends to run or not as an independent but there are indications that Labor voters have become disillusioned with what their party is offering.
“There could be an election in March next year, which is only 15 weeks away, and with your help we could win Monash,” she said.
Ms Leonard said modelling of the election result indicated that the independents, who presently hold 12 seats in the 151-seat Australian Parliament, could hold the balance of power after what is expected to be a close election.
“We would be in a position to press for what we need in a minority government situation; affordable housing, cheaper-cleaner energy, access to better education and health care.”
Specifically, Ms Leonard has a properly resourced TAFE College in Wonthaggi in her sights, an aquatic centre for Phillip Island, a new hospital for Warragul, more funding for Monash roads and a better response to the environment.
“I want my kids to be able to afford a home of their own in this region. I want them to have the same job opportunities that kids in the city have, and I want them to be able to enjoy this beautiful place where we live.
“Our electorate of Monash deserves more, and our children deserve more.
“We’ve got plenty of inspirational people who come from this area, people like Amanda Drennan, Beau Vernon, who won a medal at the recent Paralympic Games, and of course, the Hemsworths.
“But there are also people living in their cars right here on Phillip Island.
“We want our electorate to prosper. There’s a perfectly good TAFE college here in Wonthaggi that’s sitting idle with our kids are going elsewhere to get the training and education they need. I will fight for a fully functional TAFE in Wonthaggi.
“At Warragul they have needed a regional hospital for decades. The area community there can’t be made to wait any longer.
“Torquay got $20 million for a swimming pool but we have been waiting decades for a pool.
“And many of the roads in Monash aren’t fit for purpose.”
Ms Leonard spoke about the major parties trying to rig the system with changes to campaign funding, but a grass roots movement, like the one initiated by Voices for Gippsland could still succeed, she said.
“For a better response to the environment, more housing, better access to education and health care, more funding for roads; you can be a part of something that makes a real difference to the people of Monash,” she said.
Among those to speak in support of Ms Leonard were Fiona Kennedy, President of Voices for Monash and former Melbourne City Councill and executive director of the Brotherhood of St Lawrence, Nic Frances Gilley MBE.
ABC election expert, Antony Green doesn’t believe there will be a Federal Election until mid-May, either May 17 or 24, due to the Western Australian election scheduled for March 8 and school holidays leading up to Easter Sunday, April 20.