Wayne Jansson
Latest posts by Wayne Jansson (see all)
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- Liberal astroturf machine disinformation and racist far right thrives in #VoiceToParliament media false balance - 21 October 2023
THE NATIONALS ARE facing a stiff challenge in the safe rural Victorian seat of Nicholls from community independent candidate, Rob Priestly who sees great opportunities for the electorate in the transition to a low carbon economy.
The current Member, Damian Drum (Nat) who’s retiring at the election won in 2019 with 51.27 precent of the primary vote.
The safe conservative seat and the region more broadly is no stranger to independent representation. Suzanna Sheed won the state seat of Shepparton at the 2014 election.
The federal electorate of Indi is next door and another neighbouring federal seat, Mallee is home to the state independent Member for Mildura, Ali Cupper who won the seat in 2018.
Former Indi independent, Cathy McGowan recently tweeted what I and others interpreted as an endorsement of Priestly’s candidacy.
Proud to meet the Rob Priestly team in Echuca/Kyabram #timefor change in #nichollsvote @ollesally @taripta1 @bertpriestly pic.twitter.com/xtNfMdXKnT
— Cathy McGowan AO (@Indigocathy) January 21, 2022
Voices for Nicholls did not seek a candidate, deciding instead to concentrate on taking the voices in the community to their representative, whoever that may be. However, they have acknowledged Priestly’s desire to engage with the group about issues and opinions held in the electorate.
The Liberals will also be running – in a 3 cornered contest and campaign shenanigans between Coalition partners facing off between each other, there’s a great opportunity for Priestly to grab an upset win.
Nicholls is definitely a seat to watch.
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