At the very least, in Shepparton, it’s beginning to resemble a campaign.
The Nationals Party is seeking to retake the country seat it held for 47 years before losing it to independent Suzanna Sheed in the most recent state election.
There were three candidates competing for the party’s nomination, so it held a public vote to select its next candidate.
The Nationals have opened the selection process to anyone who is registered to vote in the electorate, rather than relying on party officials and members.
Voters were undoubtedly discouraged from participating in the voluntary poll because of the cold and wet weather, but despite the low turnout, Peter Schwarz, the party’s Federal Treasurer and Shepparton local, emerged as the clear winner.
He asserted that the procedure would aid the Nationals’ candidate in his campaign against the incumbent.
“It gives that candidate a certain level of ownership, it’s the community that’s chosen,” Mr Schwarz said.
“It’s not some three people put their hand up and two people get talked out of standing so we get left with one person, which sometimes happens in other parties.”
Nationals considering strategy for other seats
It was declared a success by Nationals leader Peter Walsh and suggested that the Nationals might use a similar strategy in Indi, another seat held by an independent.
In some ways, it’s not dissimilar to the US primaries in America, as we’ve seen our New South Wales colleagues do a few times now, he said.
When it comes to pre-election activities, it’s all about getting the community involved.
Whether or not we do it in Indi, the federal seat, has been discussed, but no decision has been made at this stage. “It’s still up in the air.”
This new method of preselection shows the party’s understanding that it had to change its strategy following the last state election.
After narrowly winning the primary vote in Shepparton, the Nationals’ candidate Greg Barr was unable to secure a seat in the House of Representatives.
Jeanette Powell was a former Member of the House of Representatives for Shepparton, who resigned before the party was defeated in 2014.
She rejected the idea that Shepparton had become a safe seat for the Nationals, or that there was a desire for change after so many years of being represented by the party.
According to Ms. Powell, the loss was due to a shift in demographics and a shift in campaigning.
Compared to the independent, “the Nationals are really good at grassroots doorknocking, meeting people, and going to functions,” she said.
“We now have such a diverse electorate. Many of the people who worked in agriculture are now employed by the industrial sector.”
No women had applied to run for office, but she was confident that the community-based process would give her a good chance of winning in November.
According to Ms Powell, “This is truly the community voting, there are no deals done by administration, there are no deals done by any backroom people.”
“Our message is it’s your area, it’s your voice, it’s your vote, make it count. And that’s truly what this election’s about; if people embrace it, that’s fantastic and it will truly be a community voice.”
The right time for independents?
There seemed to be no concern from Ms. Sheed about the Nationals’ efforts to win back the Shepparton electorate.
citing recent state political scandals involving both parties—robbing Labor’s of public funds laid out by an ombudsman’s investigation and the Liberal Party’s Good Friday pairing deception—Ms Sheed said the time was right for independents.
All the parties are at their lowest points, she said, “you know, in terms of the broader community.” She said this in reference to the recent poll results.
The people of Victoria, as well as the broader community, would be open to independent candidates if they were willing to stand up and represent their communities rather than their political parties.
However, the Nationals will have more to worry about than the incumbent in Shepparton when it comes to this year’s election.
All bets are off if an independent takes the reins in a seat held by the Nationals, which is what the Coalition agreement dictates.
With Shepparton businesswoman Cheryl Hammer preselected by the Liberals, the race is now a three-way contest.
Ryan, the National Party’s former leader, referred to Shepparton as their “jewel in the crown,” so losing it was a significant setback. “They will definitely want it back,” said Ryan after the last election. Ms. Sheed stated.
They’ll have to contend with both the Liberal Party and an incumbent independent this time around,” he continues.
There will be a long and arduous battle ahead for Shepparton, but that’s a wonderful thing for the community.
In the end, the only poll that matters is the one that takes place in November.
