FORMER Greater Bendigo councillor Vaughan Williams has put his hand up to contest the seat of Mallee at the May federal election.
Representing Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party, Mr Williams comes from a farming family in Clear Lake, in the south of the Mallee electorate.
He said he is committed to representing the interests of the seat “with the passion and straightforwardness that One Nation has brought to Australian politics”.
“If you actually read their policies, they’re good strong policies directed at this country for the people of this country,” he said.
“We seem to spend so much money on everything apart from the Australian people.
“Pauline Hanson has been around since 1996, it’s not a flash in the pan, that political party has been working all that time until we start to see some kind of momentum that pushes everything over the line.”
Mr Williams had previously run as a One Nation candidate in the 2019 Federal election for the seat of Bendigo, where he received 6.2 per cent of the vote, coming fourth in a seven candidate contest.
He said he was compelled to run for Mallee this time around as he was born in Horsham, all his relatives live in the electorate, and it’s where he spends most of his time.
He said voters needed to think about whether they’re better off now than six to ten years ago, and vote accordingly.
“A safe seat means a stale seat, or a static seat because you don’t get the funding in,” he said.
“The main politicians aren’t trying to buy the area, that’s why you’re not getting the funding that you should be getting.”
Mr Williams said he would advocate for more investment in regional schools, healthcare, roads and rail networks, as well as more reliable internet access and sustainable water policies to benefit farmers.
He said the party was focused on reducing cost of living pressures, exploring all energy options including nuclear, coal and gas, and lowering Australia’s permanent immigration intake by focusing on recruiting skilled migrants who could contribute directly to regional agriculture and healthcare needs.
Mr Williams was also critical of sitting Nationals MP Anne Webster, and her recent use of an unmanned satellite office in Horsham for a billboard-style advertisement in the lead up to the election.
“It’s a kick in the eye, or a poke in the eye for anybody that’s finding it hard to even put food on the table let alone pay electricity bills at the moment,” he said.
“This country has really come to a point where nobody can afford anything anymore.
“Every time we’ve had an election we’ve dropped down another peg in liveability.
“The winds of change are coming, people are really, really seeing it.
“We’re looking for a really good showing here, we’re looking for a good showing across Victoria.
“We’re hoping to get a Senate candidate in and some Lower House representatives.”
He said if elected, he would establish electorate offices in Mildura and Horsham.
