Latest news with #Chesters
Sky News AU
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Nationals still in the fight and threatening to clinch shock victory in core Victorian Labor seat
The Nationals are threatening to produce a shock victory in the core Labor seat of Bendigo, with the seat firmly held by the major party since 1998. Despite Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's resounding election victory, counting in the once ironclad Labor seat of Bendigo in regional Victoria has slowed, with the Nationals a stone throw away from securing an upset result. Nationals candidate Andew Lethlean, a well-known local bar operator is now trailing incumbent Labor MP Lisa Chesters by 1009 votes, with the two-party preferred count sitting at 50.72 to 49.28 per cent. However, at 2pm on Wednesday Mr Lethlean was sitting 808 votes ahead of Ms Chesters with the Nationals receiving a 29.6 per cent swing on first preferences. Ms Chesters is doing better-than-expected on postal votes though, which traditionally favour conservative candidates as Mr Lethlean leads postal votes 51-49 on a two-party preferred measure. Labor has firmly held the seat since 1998 with Ms Chesters heading into the 2025 election on a sizeable margin of 12 per cent. Bendigo was one of the seats where preference voting had to be reset after the AEC included Labor and the Liberals in the two-party preferred count on election night, instead of Labor and the Nationals. The Nationals have not run a candidate in Bendigo since 2016 receiving only 3.63 per cent of primary votes, with the party last holding the seat in 1949. Ms Chesters still remains a strong chance to hold as the vote count continues to significantly stall, with a two-candidate preferred only completed for 23 of the 66 polling places and 69.25% of ballet papers processed. The Nationals are believed to have poured nearly $1 million into the seat and ran a targeted campaign tying Ms Chesters to Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, who holds the state seat of Bendigo East. The Nationals spent more money in the electorate than anywhere else in Victoria and pursued extensive letterboxing campaigns, with one unnamed Labor figure telling The Age 'What the hell is going on in Bendigo?' During the campaign Mr Lethlean came under fire after it was reported a bar he owned sold alcohol while its license was suspended. Mr Lethlean said the suspension was the result of an 'administrative oversight' and stated the annual license fee was paid as soon as the issue was identified. Unlike their Liberal counterparts, the Nationals secured re-election in nine out of ten of their lower house seats, losing Calare in NSW to independent Andrew Gee who quit the party in late 2022 due to the Coalition's stance on the Voice. With the country party now making up a larger percentage of the Coalition due to the Liberals catastrophic loss, Nationals MP Michael McCormack told the ABC his party would be calling for more shadow ministries. 'It's worked out on a per capita basis with how many seats you hold as part of a joint number in the Coalition,' Mr McCormack said The Riverina MP, who retained his seat with a 3.3 per cent swing also advised the Liberals to keep their grievances to their party room. 'Anonymous Liberal people who so often background and brief journalists in Canberra, shut your bloody mouths,' he said.
ABC News
05-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Nationals' Bridget McKenzie demands retraction from Labor MP over booing claims
Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie has asked a Labor MP to take back allegations she booed people taking Labor preference cards at an early voting centre. Incumbent member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters, whose hold on the seat is in the balance, said Senator McKenzie booed voters taking her how-to-vote cards during pre-poll voting in the Central Victorian seat of Bendigo. The fight for the seat is likely to go down to the wire, with counting so far showing a significant swing towards Last week, Ms Chesters told the ABC she had "There has been a lot of intimidation at early voting," Ms Chesters said. " Senator Bridget McKenzie was booing people as they took my how-to-vote card. " Senator McKenzie stopped short of denying the allegation but told ABC Local Radio she had sought legal advice and a public retraction from Ms Chesters. "I've written to Lisa Chesters seeking a retraction of those wrongful comments," she said. Election essentials: "I think the mood on the booths, as I stood there with National Party supporters, was incredibly positive and respectful and energetic, as it should be in a democracy." Ms Chesters has been contacted for comment. Ms Chesters says it was a "nasty" campaign involving a "tidal wave" of money from the Nationals. ( ABC Central Victoria: Shannon Schubert ) Still in doubt Despite a landslide federal election victory, Labor is at risk of losing the previously safe seat as counting continues. Labor has held the seat of Bendigo since 1998, with Ms Chesters elected as its member in 2013. If the Nationals win the seat, it will represent a swing of more than 11 per cent towards the party. Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie (right), supporting first-time candidate for the seat of Bendigo Andrew Lethlean. ( Facebook ) On Monday morning, Labor was ahead in the polls with around 85 per cent of votes counted. However, it was estimated that her lead was roughly 606 votes. The seat was previously held by the ALP by a margin of 11.2 per cent. Nationals candidate Andrew Lethlean is a well-known publican in the region but has not avoided scrutiny, with The Nationals have yet to specify how much was spent on Mr Lethlean's campaign, but Ms Chesters stated her opponent had access to a $1 million "war chest". Senator McKenzie did not reveal how much was spent on the campaign, but said it was "a lot less" than independent Alex Dyson in Wannon. Mr Dyson, who was unsuccessful in his bid to topple Liberal MP Dan Tehan, had a front-facing donation tally exceeding $1.1 million. The Australian Electoral Commission is waiting to count postal votes in transit and analysts expect a recount will be done tomorrow.
ABC News
01-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Nationals candidate for Bendigo pushes to swing safe Labor seat at federal election
Travel a few blocks in any direction in Bendigo and you're likely to see a poster of Nationals candidate Andrew Lethlean. The publican is the first candidate in nine years to represent the Nationals in the electorate and, according to his political opponents, boasts an estimated $1 million in campaign funding. Stay updated: Catch the latest interviews and in-depth coverage on The Bendigo electorate has been held by Labor since 1998 and is considered a safe seat. Lisa Chesters was elected in 2013 and has grown the margin to 11.2 per cent. The electorate stretches north to the flood-ravaged town of Rochester, west to Carisbrook and south to the Macedon Ranges. It is a well-populated region. 'Tidal wave' of cash? In the growing city of Bendigo Mr Lethlean's face adorns billboards, roving utes, homes and businesses. Ms Chesters said there was a "tidal wave" of money behind the Nationals campaign, but the party has declined to put a figure on spending. "I've just got a passion that the region's been left behind," Mr Lethlean told " We've got some massive support from businesses, locals, individuals that have put in money. " Several vehicles are driving around Bendigo to advertise Mr Lethlean's campaign. ( ABC Central Victoria: Shannon Schubert ) A focus of the campaign is Ms Chesters has been far less visible and has at times played catch-up and matched Coalition election pledges. She has accused the Nationals of playing "Trumpian" politics and been angered by Read more about the federal election: Want even more? Here's where you can find all our 2025 'Exhausting' contest Deakin University senior lecturer Geoffrey Robinson said it was unlikely Labor would lose the seat. "The National Party's appeal is very much restricted to more traditionally rural cities," he said. "Where Bendigo's identity is more going back to the goldfields, it is more similar to a mini-Melbourne. " I expect Labor's margin will shrink a bit though. " Mr Littleproud has visited the electorate three times during the campaign, but Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is yet to make an appearance. "I don't think Labor is concerned about losing the seat," Dr Robinson said. Greg Bickley came close to beating Ms Chesters in 2013. ( ABC News: Terri-Anne Kinglsey ) Greg Bickley ran in Bendigo for the Liberal Party in 2013 and said it was an "exhausting" experience. He beat Ms Chesters by 2,872 votes in the primary ballot but lost on preferences. "The challenge is that the sitting member has a budget for advertising, while candidates don't get paid for their time to campaign — you do that of your own accord," Mr Bickley said. "It's a costly exercise personally, financially and sometimes socially." Mark Slattery says Mr Lethlean may have a shot at victory. ( ABC Central Victoria: Shannon Schubert ) 'In with a chance' As Labor voter Mark Slattery speaks to the ABC, a ute drives past pulling a trailer with a huge Andrew Lethlean sign and two Australian flags. "He's everywhere," Mr Slattery said. "He's in with a chance, I reckon." Nicole Pratt says she has only seen Labor's candidate on social media. ( ABC Central Victoria: Shannon Schubert ) Nicole Pratt said Ms Chesters was all but invisible compared to Mr Lethlean. "He's everywhere, out and about in the community," she said. "It's definitely a difference to others, like Lisa Chesters … I haven't seen her at all this election." Ms Chesters increased her margin at the last federal election. ( ABC Central Victoria: Shannon Schubert ) Ms Chesters told the ABC she was trying to be respectful to voters. "I've been out there doorknocking, I've been out there doing my listening posts," she said. " I've been respectful and not bombarded people with a tidal wave of advertising. " Mr Lethlean has been hitting the campaign trail hard. ( ABC Central Victoria: Shannon Schubert ) Mr Lethlean is positioning himself as an affable businessman who will balance the books. That pitch was damaged somewhat by revelations his pub Ms Chesters has been pushing the party line of stability. A Nationals spokesperson said the party was coming from "a long way back" as the "underdogs" but there was strong belief in Mr Lethlean. Loading Having trouble seeing this form? Try
