Candidate hopes Mallee is open-minded to change

A FREIGHT company manager based in Bendigo is having his third tilt at Federal politics, this time contesting the seat of Mallee.

Trumpet of Patriots candidate Adam Veitch contested the seat of Bendigo in 2007 as an independent, and again in 2019 as a United Australia Party candidate.

After taking the 2022 election off due to health reasons, he said he’s aligned with Clive Palmer again, and shifted his sights to Mallee at the request of the party.

“The party decided it wasn’t worth running a candidate in Bendigo, it’s a very safe Labor seat … not a very conservative town,” Mr Veitch said.

“They’ve crunched the numbers and thought Bendigo is such a safe seat, do we invest money into a place where we get a few extra votes, or do we look at places that are more open-minded to change, maybe more disillusioned because they’re not in these big cities and they sort of feel like they get left behind and infrastructure is crumbling, industry is crumbling.”

The grandfather of seven said the Mallee electorate more closely aligned to his values than Bendigo, and he’s eager to build up his profile.

The United Australia Party came fourth in the 2022 election in Mallee, when now-Mayor of Swan Hill Rural City Council Stuart King collected 9.1 per cent of first preferences.

Mr Veitch acknowledged that he currently lived outside the Mallee electorate, and didn’t have any expectations ahead of the close of polling on May 3.

“It’s going to be tough but any fight for democracy, I’ve got to be in for the fight,” he said.

“It’s more about building the brand and getting the message out there.

“I’m looking forward to interacting with the community and getting them to meet me and understand my motives for doing what I’m doing.”

Mr Veitch described party financer Clive Palmer as a genuine patriot with common sense ideas that were easily enacted.

“When you hear him speak you know he’s not in it for another reason but a better future for everyone,” Mr Veitch said.

“He’s not in there to get more money, he lined up everyday people that just want to make a difference.

“They’re staunch, and they believe in his vision for the country so they’ve got on board.”

Mr Veitch had previously been convicted in 2004, when he was found guilty of two counts of theft, and possessing amphetamines and ecstasy.

Serving a two month corrections intensive corrections order, he said it was a turning point which he has learned from.

“It’s a long time ago now, it was a pretty tough time for me, there was a lot going on in my life,” he said.

“You live and learn, obviously it’s shameful but it’s all part of my journey and it’s made me the person I am today.”

He said if he was elected to Parliament he would take conscience votes, and not be swayed by allegiances to corporations or donors.

“There is alternatives to ‘uniparty’,” he said.

“They’ve shown they have an allegiance to corporations over the people.”