Four candidates have put their hands up to try and replace former Labor leader Bill Shorten in the seat of Maribyrnong.
With Shorten announcing his retirement, the residents of the Maribyrnong electorate will have a new MP for the first time since 2007.
Based in Melbourne’s western suburbs, Maribyrnong covers 70 square kilometres between CityLink and Pascoe Vale Road in the east, and the Maribyrnong River in the west.
Among the suburbs it covers is Gladstone Park, Keilor Park and Tullamarine.
Labor has held the seat from 1969 and is classed a very safe seat heading into the election.
After the redistribution of the last election, Labor holds a 63 to 37 per cent lead on a two party preferred basis.
Jo Briskey is hoping to keep that hold on the seat as Labor’s candidate.
Ms Briskey has previously served as the chief executive of The Parenthood, the peak advocacy body for Australian parents, fighting for families in our community and across the nation.
Tim Beddoe is standing for the Liberal Party.
Mr Beddoe has an extensive 17-year career in the Melbourne rail network, working his way up from being one of the youngest suburban train drivers to various senior leadership and specialist project roles.
Mr Beddoe was the only candidate to respond to Star Weekly’s question on why people should vote for them.
“Hi, I’m Tim – a lifelong Victorian who believes in a fair go for all Australians,” he said. “My journey into politics is not a traditional one, by trade I was a suburban train driver before moving into various management and project roles.
“My motivation for running for parliament is the fact that I love people and I genuinely want to ensure that government sets the framework correctly to enable Australians to thrive.
“Only a Coalition government will bring the focus back onto the things that really matter and ease the cost of living crisis that is currently affecting all Australians.
James Williams is standing for the Greens, while the other candidate is Alannah Casey, who is standing for One Nation.
Among the election promises, Ms Briskey announced last week that the Labor party would invest $1 millions to build a new synthetic green and shade sails at Gladstone Park.
