Liberal candidate already campaigning for 2025, others not so sure

LIBERAL candidate Ross Lyman was back out in the community yesterday, starting his campaign to re–contest the seat of Indi in 2025. Mr Lyman, who rang Independent incumbent Helen Haines on Saturday evening to congratulate her on her win, said he was disappointed to a see a four per cent primary vote swing against his party in Indi – with the two party preferred difference roughly 60/40 favouring the incumbent. Acknowledging the "bloodbath" at the national level, he said his team would analyse what factors – local and national – had impacted on his ballot result. "I began my campaign this election in January and the feedback we've got is that I need to be out there sooner, so I'm starting today for 2025," he said. "Obviously there has been a shift in society...it's something the Liberal Party has to look at nationally." Nationals' Liz Fisher, said she was "devastated" to see traditional Nationals voters support the incumbent and also One Nation candidate, eroding her party's primary Indi vote to below four per cent. "I think there were some big picture issues at play...some Nationals may not like Barnaby Joyce or the pro mining policies," she said. "The Independent ran a very well funded campaign. "I really see the Nationals as a party for rural and regional development, but clearly that is not resonating with people in towns." Ms Fisher said she was keen to play her part for the party in the future, although that may not be as a candidate. A 3.6 per cent swing against Labor to reduce its primary vote to 8.5 per cent in Indi was personally disappointing for candidate Nadia David. "After all the months of work by myself and our small team of volunteers it is disappointing, but the Liberals and Nationals also suffered a backlash here," the Beechworth academic said yesterday. "I can see that a lot of our support went to Helen (Haines), who ran a much larger campaign and is a quality local member and I wish her all the best....I'm happy for her and for Indi. "Potentially she could play a bigger part (if Labor in minor government)...she is a progressive and we've seen a progressive vote in Indi on matters of climate change, as well as an integrity commission which Labor has committed to get in place by Christmas." Ms David said she was open to the idea of running again at the next federal election. First time Greens candidate Benjamin Gilbert said he was delighted with the outcome in Indi, and nationally. "This has been a climate change election," he said, "and Indi has been part of that progressive vote. "People understood what Helen stood for. "You can't call Indi a conservative seat anymore. "Helen and Cathy (McGowan) have shown that safe doesn't exist if you are not on topic." The Yackandandah sculptor was delighted to see his party's primary vote double in his hometown, and said an electorate–wide swing of around one per cent away from the Greens had been support for the incumbent's shared vision on climate policies. "I've really enjoyed the whole experience...it's been very positive and for me it's about doing what is right for the kids," he said. "I'd be happy to run again, unless someone younger than myself wanted to do it." Liberal Democrats candidate Julian Fidge said he was reasonably content with his support at the ballot box. Dr Fidge, who was wearing his cowboy hat giving out how to vote cards on polling day, said this election wouldn't be his last rodeo. For United Australia Party candidate Stephen Williams, this was his first and last foray into politics. The Tawonga business owner said he was "very disappointed" to see his party's primary vote drop from around four per cent to around 2.5 per cent of the vote. "I think the support we did get was on the back of our opposition to all mandates and the madness of the last two years," he said. "I didn't expect to get elected, but I thought we'd have a stronger showing than that. "I'm retiring from politics...time to go fishing." Candidates Beth Stevens (Pauline Hanson's One Nation), Angel Aleksov (Animal Justice Party) and Lachlan O'Connell (Derryn Hinch's Justice Party) could not be contacted for comment yesterday.

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Ovens & Murray Advertiser, Friday, 18 September, 2026

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