“We’re standing. We will be renominating.”

It was with those words on Monday morning this week, February 3, that the Federal Member for Monash Russell Broadbent announced he would be standing as an Independent at the next Federal Election, likely in May this year.

“I’ve been asked many times as I go around to stand again and that’s what we’re doing.

“There’s a lot of unfinished business and we are going into a time of great uncertainty in the parliament where I don’t believe either of the major parties will have the numbers to govern in their own right after the next election.

“It’s going to be a time when strength and experience is needed in the parliament.”

Asked about the issues ahead for the electorate of Monash in particular, Mr Broadbent said cost of living was clearly the focus but he said energy policy was also a standout issue for the region.

“I’ve been very clear about this that coal and gas will continue to have an important role to play in energy production and I’ve been a strong advocate for a new gas-fired power station to be established in the Latrobe Valley.”

Mr Broadbent said he was also in favour of nuclear being part of the energy-generation mix in Australia and was open to the idea of the Latrobe Valley hosting one of those nuclear plants.

But he said he was also alarmed to hear of further law and order issues in the Latrobe Valley this week saying that while policing was an issue for the state government, the response to crime, which was an issue across all areas, was an all-governments' issue.

Mr Broadbent said he was also well acquainted with the coastal erosion problems at Inverloch, and also at Silverleaves on Phillip Island, an area with which he has had a long association.

He acknowledged the need for a national coastal erosion policy, with the Federal Government working closely with the state governments which he believed were the lead agencies.

It was during Mr Broadbent’s term of office, in February 2022, that Inverloch was awarded $3.3 million from the Australian Government’s $50 million Coastal and Estuarine Risk Mitigation Program for “on-ground works” outlined in the Cape to Cape Resilience Project “to reduce disaster risk to critical infrastructure and services for the Inverloch township and surrounding region”.

Taxation was another issue, said Mr Broadbent, noting that his differences of opinion with the Federal Parliamentary Liberal Party on the issues of taxation, that saw him lose the party’s endorsement to run again as the Liberal candidate for Monash.

“That and my age. They’re the only people who’ve ever raised the issue of age with me,” said Mr Broadbent of the decision by the Liberal Party to disendorse him in November 2023.

He said he favoured a complete overhaul of the Australian taxation system, including state and local government.

“Local government has got to be properly funded and someone has got to rein in state government spending and taxation. They’re taxing landowners out of existence.”

Mr Broadbent said he had already received plenty of support from the community, not only encouraging him to run but also to help his campaign.

“It’s up to the people how they ultimately vote but we’re in it to win it.”

Mr Broadbent will be in Canberra this week and next for what is expected to be the last two sitting weeks of the current parliament with the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expected to call an election for May or April next month.

The veteran MP, Mr Broadbent, who will be 74 years of age when he contests the election, nonetheless has strong prospects of winning with a new Liberal candidate in the field, Mary Aldred, a strong campaign being fought by independent Deb Leonard and the ALP yet to nominate a candidate, already being accused of “running dead in Monash” to destabilize the campaign in favour of an independent winning the seat – it may very well be Russell Broadbent.

It will be the 14th Federal Election campaign fought by Mr Broadbent having lost in 1984 and 1987 before ultimately being elected in March 1990. He is the only MP left standing from that parliament. Among other extensive roles in the parliament, Mr Broadbent has been a member of the Speakers' Panel in recognition of his experience and the respect he enjoys on both sides of politics.

He has never served as a Minister, likely because of his willingness to stand up to the government of the day whether disagreeing with his own party or the opposition.

In recent times, he has been associated with a strong stance on the medical and social fallout of the mandatory COVID vaccination policy, something he still maintains needs to be investigated fully and addressed.

Asked for a comment, the endorsed Liberal candidate for Monash, Mary Aldred, has simply wished Mr Broadbent all the best.

"I wish him well," said Ms Aldred today.

Russell Broadbent’s statement

Russell Broadbent MP Election Announcement

Hi, it’s Russell Broadbent here, independent Member for Monash. Truth. Wisdom. Justice. These are the values that I have stood by during my years as a parliamentarian. Whether in the Liberal Party or as an independent, I have always been driven by values-based leadership – what is right, not what is politically expedient.

Issues that lie close to the heart of Monash residents – issues like cost of living, energy prices, supporting our farmers, families and small businesses. I engage directly with the community and actively advocate for what matters most to them.

My focus has always been on getting what’s best for Monash. I have worked tirelessly for new and improved infrastructure of this electorate – from big projects like the L. Rigby Cancer Centre in Wonthaggi and funding to address erosion at Inverloch and Silverleaves, to the small ones that make a big difference – like installing the Prom Views Street Library in Walkerville or sprucing up the Community Hub in Longwarry.

I have a broad understanding of the issues that matter most – big or small. Afterall, I am answerable to you, the people. I am not motivated by towing the party lines or being a career politician.

I am not, and never have been, a yes man - I crossed the floor when I was a member of the Liberal party. I am prepared to take a stand when it matters – even when it puts my career on the line.

Over the past 12 months or so, I have spoken to many people across this beautiful electorate.

They are rightly concerned about the path this nation is on. They are concerned about our national identity, and how we, as a nation, should navigate what’s to come.

We are in unprecedented, uncertain and unexpected times. I believe that we are entering a difficult political climate, and no one knows what the next few years will bring. But far from being lost in the wilderness, the path ahead is clear.

I have unfinished business. I have spoken to many people from Monash who have called on me to stand for the seat of Monash in 2025. And that is exactly what I intend to do.

I also announce today that I will not be canvassing or accepting any donations. And if I receive them, they will be respectfully declined and returned. Reason being I do not want to be beholden to any individual, group or party. As an independent, I want you to know that I am working in your interests and not for any other interest group.

However, I do need help on polling booths or putting a sign in your front yard, or just your conversation amongst your fellows. Monash needs a representative who has the experience and tenacity to advocate for what is best for the region. And I have the strength, expertise and wisdom to be more than just a voice for Monash.