Nine in Indi contest

NINE candidates are vying for your vote in the Indi federal election, with Independent incumbent federal MP Helen Haines having the much sought after top billing on the electorate ballot paper following a bingo style barrel draw undertaken by the Australian Electoral Commission in Wangaratta last Friday. The rest of the ballot order is as follows: Mitch Bridges (Labor); James Trenery (Liberal); Athol Thomas (One Nation); Alysia Regan (The Greens); Tim Quilty (Libertarian); Michael White (Family First); Ben Howman (Legalise Cannabis); and Mark McFarlane (Independent). Dr Haines, Mr Trenery and Mr McFarlane were the only three candidates at last Friday’s ballot draw. All three said they were looking forward to meeting voters and campaigning strongly in the weeks leading up to 3 May polling day, acknowledging that a lot of people in Indi do their voting in the two weeks leading up to election day. Now candidates will be busy finalising their preference deals with fellow candidates ahead of the printing of the how to vote cards. Indi’s field of candidates has several differences to last election, the most notable being the absence of a Nationals candidate, as well as Clive Palmer (Trumpet of Patirots) and Animal Justice not contesting the seat, but Legalise Cannabis entering the battle. Dr Haines has held the Indi seat for two terms after taking over from fellow Independent Cathy McGowan in 2019. Ms McGowan famously beat former Liberal MP Sophie Mirabella in a tight contest in 2013 and again at the 2016 election. In 2019 Dr Haines won 51.4 per cent of the vote over Liberal Party candidate Steve Martin, despite a 4.1pc swing to the Libs. She backed up in 2022 to beat Liberal candidate Ross Lyman after achieving a 7.55pc swing in her favour. Early voting polling places open on Tuesday, 22 April. There will be no early voting polling places available in the Indigo Shire, with the closest venues to be the Wodonga Private Hospital and the Wareena Park Hall in Wangaratta. Opening hours will include 22-24 April (8.30am-5.30pm), 26 April (9am-4pm), 28 April to 1 May (8.30-5.30pm), and 2 May (8.30am-6pm). Polling places on Election Day voting, 3 May, will be open from 8am to 6pm. In the Indigo Shire they include: Beechworth Senior Citizens Club, Wooragee Centenary Hall, Stanley Safer Place Recreation Reserve, Yackandandah Public Hall, Chiltern Senior Citizens Hall, Barnawartha Soldiers Memorial Hall, AE Henderson Pavilion, Wahgunyah School of Arts. Ballot packs will be sent automatically to registered postal voters, visit https://www.aec.gov.au/election/pva.htm.

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