A raft of changes have taken place with the five successful legislative council candidates for the Western Victoria Region officially declared on Tuesday.
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Labor’s Jaala Pulford and Gayle Tierney keep their positions in the upper house while three new MPs come aboard.
Beverley McArthur will serve as the only Liberal member for Western Victoria replacing outgoing MP Simon Ramsay.
Joshua Morris, who was placed second on the Western Victorian Liberal ticket, has missed out on a seat in the upper house to minor parties represented by Stuart Grimley from Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party and the Animal Justice Party’s Andy Meddick.
The Liberal Party received a quota of 1.79 seats, but needed a full two seats for Mr Morris to retain his position.
Read more: Jaala Pulford handed new portfolios
Ararat Rural City Council deputy mayor Jo Armstrong was third on the coalition ticket as a Nationals candidate, falling well short of the required amount of votes to win a seat in parliament.
Labor received a quota of 2.29, while preference deals between minor parties meant The Hinch Justice Party and the Animal Justice Party filled the remaining two positions.
Of the minor parties to win and to represent Western Victoria, Mr Grimley is a father of two who lives Armstrong Creek, between Geelong and Torquay.
“When Derryn Hinch formed the Justice Party, I knew straight away that I wanted to be part of the team,” he said.
“Fortunately, I was selected as Derryn’s running mate in the 2016 Federal Election. The values and issues fundamental to the Justice Party are a reflection of my personal views on what is needed to make our communities feel safe and secure again.”
The Animal Justice Party’s successful candidate Andy Meddick lives on the Surf Coast.
He supports the banning of duck shooting season, banning of jumps racing and the establishment of an independent office of animal welfare.
He is also the AJP’s western regional group leader in Victoria, and has been a tireless campaigner for the rights of animals and for greater protection for native wildlife.
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