Labor’s stranglehold on the western suburbs will be put to the test at next year’s state election, with the West Party announcing five candidates to contest lower and upper house seats across the region.
After a strong showing as an independent candidate at the Werribee by-election at the beginning of the year, West Party founder and Wyndham businessman Paul Hopper will again contest the seat, but this time will be joined by a suite of candidates aiming to capitalise on voter disillusionment with the two major parties, a long serving Labor Government and a sense of neglect across Melbourne’s west.
Gill Gannon in Williamstown and Luan Walker in St Albans will join Mr Hopper in contesting lower house seats, while former Wyndham councillor Sahana Ramesh and Dr Joe Garra will campaign for the upper house.
“I’m very pleased with the calibre and quality of the candidates who have come forward to join the cause,” Mr Hopper said of those who will join him campaigning for the West Party, with more expected to be announced in the new year.
While failing to win the seat, Mr Hopper said the Werribee by-election result convinced him that there was an appetite for a centrist political party that solely focused on the west.
“There was an enormous swing from Labor, with not much of it going to the Liberals and most of the swing went to myself and other minor parties,” he said.
“I think that really shows where the mindset of the voting public are, they’ve had enough of the two party system.”
Mr Hopper said the West Party would focus on crime, youth services, health, education and roads and public transport infrastructure.
Dr Garra said running candidates in both houses will give the party more credibility by increasing voting options.
“If it is a close election, winning seats in the upper and lower house could give us a good say in what happens,” Dr Garra said.
He stated improving local infrastructure within the western suburbs and encouraging white collar businesses and healthcare services to set up in the west.
“Long term, it will save money. We are spending a fortune on moving people to work– let’s move the work to the people.”
