UPDATE: Wimmera National Party branch members have six candidates to choose from at pre-selection for the seat of Mallee for this year’s Federal Election.
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The Party has officially endorsed Minyip farmer Shane McGrath as a candidate, alongside five others who hail from towns north of the Wimmera.
Policeman Paul Matheson, social worker Dr Anne Webster and small businessman Toby Heil are from the Mildura area, Mallee Sustainable farming chairman Daniel Linklater lives over the border in Gol Gol, NSW, and farmer Bernadette Hogan is from Birchip.
The Nationals state president Neil Pankhurst said any one of these candidates, vying to replace disgraced outgoing Nationals member Andrew Broad, would make a great member for Mallee.
“The candidates come from different walks of life with diverse experiences, but like all National Party members, are united by their passion for rural and regional communities,” he said.
Candidate forums for Nationals members will take place in Mildura on Monday, Swan Hill on Tuesday, Horsham on Wednesday and St Arnaud on Thursday.
Pre-selection is in Birchip on January 19.
SUNDAY: The Wimmera's National Party members will soon have a clearer picture of their options in picking Andrew Broad’s successor.
The total number of candidates seeking pre-selection for this year’s Federal Election is set to be finalised on Monday.
The Wimmera Mail-Times understands that six nominees have put their hands up for pre-selection.
The deadline for applying for pre-selection for the seat of Mallee expired at 5pm on Friday.
The Nationals’ state director Matthew Harris has said the party was spending the weekend vetting applicants to make sure they’re eligible to stand for election.
Prior to Friday’s deadline, Mildura social worker Dr Anne Webster and Irymple small businessman Toby Heil had announced they were vying for pre-selection.
Mr Broad beat Dr Webster in the 2013 pre-selection contest prior to that year’s election.
Dr Webster is a social worker and the founding director of not-for-profit Zoe Support.
Mr Heil runs an air-conditioning business and worked on Peter Crisp’s campaign for the seat of Mildura last year.
There have been reports Lowan MP Emma Kealy has been asked to run but refused.
We have contacted Ms Kealy’s office for comment.
The other four nominees that the Wimmera Mail-Times understands have put their hands up for pre-selection include Paul Matheson, Shane McGrath, Bernadette Hogan and Daniel Linklater.
Minyip local Shane McGrath is the son of Bill McGrath, the former Member for Lowan and later Wimmera.
Daniel Linklater is the chair of Mallee Sustainable Farming and runs a no-till cropping enterprise with his family at Trentham Cliffs in New South Wales.
Paul Matheson is a detective senior sergeant with the Mildura Police.
Bernadette Hogan is a Birchip farmer.
Mr Harris said sentiment in the party over the upcoming election was hopeful, despite the recent scandal involving Andrew Broad, and the party’s recent loss to an Independent in the seat of Mildura at the state election.
“We don’t take anything for granted,” he said.
“We’ve worked very hard to retain the seat.
“The Mildura result was disappointing but it was quite unusual.”
Members will vote on January 19.
Alexander Darling
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
