30-04-2025
Independent candidates challenge major parties in Monash
Stretching from Mansfield to the coastal seascapes of Wilsons Promontory, the seat of Monash includes some of Victoria's fastest-growing communities.
A long-time Liberal stronghold, Monash has been held by Russell Broadbent since he won it back from Labor in 2004.
He retained the seat at the 2022 election with a reduced margin of 2.9 per cent.
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But this year, things will look a little different.
After losing Liberal preselection, Broadbent is recontesting as an independent and facing serious pressure from Phillip Island-based independent Deb Leonard.
For the first time, Monash could elect an MP from outside the major parties.
A race between two?
The seat of Monash lies east of Melbourne and runs from the Great Dividing Range to Bass Strait.
It has never been held by an independent, but Mr Broadbent's decision to recontest without the backing of a major party has shaken up a seat already feeling political pressure.
Election analyst Ren Raue told ABC Victoria Statewide Mornings Monash was an example of a seat where preferences would be critical.
"That's a seat where the order in which people get knocked out and their preferences distributed could decide who gets into that top two, and make a difference as to who wins," Mr Raue said.
"
Honestly, it could be one of those seats we don't know the results on the night.
"
The Monash electorate recorded a swing against the two major parties in the last election, with independent Deb Leonard recording a 10.7 per cent swing in her favour.
Geoffrey Robinson says there is a growing level of mistrust in politics.
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Supplied: Geoff Robinson
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Geoff Robinson, senior lecturer in politics and policy at Deakin University, said independents had a chance to tap into dissatisfaction with the major parties.
But he said a large number of "rusted-on" voters — about 60 per cent of the electorate — supported the Liberals, Labor or the Greens.
"It's more about the general mood of dissatisfaction," he said.
"You need a viable candidate to capture that mood."
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The players
Mr Broadbent and Ms Leonard have competition from the major parties.
The Liberal Party's candidate is Mary Aldred, daughter of former MP Ken Aldred.
Labor's candidate is Tully Fletcher, a third-generation Gippslander.
Ms Leonard, a self-employed lawyer who finished third in the 2022 election, has capitalised on growing discontent with the major parties to help gather a war chest of close to half-a-million dollars.
Warragul resident Graeme Hollingsworth said he had voted for the Liberal party in the past.
Graeme Hollingsworth has been volunteering for Deb Leonard's campaign.
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Supplied: Graeme Hollingsworth
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But this year he has been backing Ms Leonard — even volunteering for her campaign.
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"We don't actually get any funding [in Monash] and the feeling on the ground, unless you're a rusted-on Labor or Liberal voter, [is] that it's time for a change, and enough is enough," Mr Hollingsworth said.
Inverloch resident Kim White said many residents felt frustrated with the political landscape and wanted better transparency.
He said while many were happy with Mr Broadbent, Ms Leonard had political momentum.
"If an independent gets in, I hope like hell they go hard for this region," he said.
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It'll be short-lived if they don't.
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The candidates' view
Mr Broadbent said he was intrigued by how the weekend's vote would pan out.
"If you go to the last four election campaigns, people are moving away from the major parties," he said.
Russell Broadbent says he is confident he will retain his seat.
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ABC News
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The former Liberal MP said he acknowledged his previous party membership but said "that's history" he could not walk away from.
Mr Broadbent has long been an outspoken voice in the Coalition party room and was one of a handful of MPs who opposed its policy of offshore processing for refugees in 2006.
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Political funding body Climate 200 is bankrolling up to 75 per cent of campaign costs for several independent candidates this election.
In 2017, he was one of four MPs who voted against same-sex marriage legislation.
More recently he opposed mandatory vaccination during the pandemic and promoted the use of the anti parasitic drug Ivermectin.
Meanwhile, Ms Leonard has faced criticism of her funding head-on, stating her independence in parliament would not be influenced by donors.
"It's important to note that the donors don't shape the policy," she said.
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Only the community shapes my policy. I'm not beholden to any organisation or entity except the people of Monash.
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'Seat to watch'
Both independent candidates agreed Monash would be a seat worth watching this weekend.
"It'll be most intriguing, and every preference you put down is going to be crucial, even number nine," Mr Broadbent said.
Russell Broadbent has spent decades in federal parliament.
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ABC News
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Ms Leonard said the election presented voters alternative options away from the major two parties.
"Do they want someone that is just going to continue to vote the same way that they always have and which has led to our region being left behind," she said.
"Or do they want someone that's going to vote differently and vote in line with our community and stand up for what we need."
The federal election will be held on May 3.
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