In essence the candidates, who have already engaged in strong debate on the choice between a major party and independent member of parliament, were sent to their neutral corners before starting the 33-day run to election day.
Nationals candidate Sam Birrell said he would be taking a day or two of family time during Easter before starting a month-long campaign to win the seat for his party.
The six candidates, two from the Coalition, one independent and three minor party representatives, can expect plenty of interest in the election, as it appears unlikely the seat will be a Nationals walkover.
In fact, voters appear to be enjoying the contest — albeit in its infancy — as they are presented with a range of candidates who all bring something different to the table.
Nicholls, which was created in 2019 and has only known retiring member Damian Drum, extends to Seymour and Broadford in the south, to Yarrawonga in the east, Echuca and Rochester in the west and also includes Greater Shepparton and part of the Strathbogie Shire.
Since an early poll uncovered a healthy percentage of the vote for the Nationals, Liberal and independent candidates — in spite of 12 per cent of people polled being uncertain as to which way they would vote — interest has been high in the policies of the trio.
And with no word on a Labor Party candidate — the second highest polling party in Nicholls at the 2019 election — minor party preferences are expected to play a part in the outcome of the vote.
United Australia Party candidate Dr Rob Peterson has already indicated his preferences will be heading to One Nation’s Rikkie Tyrrell, and a similar arrangement is expected to occur for Citizens Party candidate Jeff Davy — appearing as a candidate in his fourth Federal Election.
Before the voters of Nicholls head to the polls there is an expectation the field will expand significantly from the current six candidates.
Liberal candidate Steve Brooks said he was up for the fight and felt the competition for the seat was healthy.
“Whenever there is complacency, in any person or any organisation, it leads to poor outcomes,” he said.
“I’ve done nothing at 50 per cent.
“I get the impression that people are having a good look at candidates, and that’s something that they don’t do (in this electorate) at every election.
“They have a choice of candidates with different skill sets. I am being driven in several different areas by what people are telling me.”
Mr Brooks has travelled extensively in the early stages of campaigning, from Yarrawonga to Echuca and Seymour to Shepparton.
“It is a diverse electorate, but it has some common themes like water, aged care, labour shortages, health services and access to GPs,” he said.
Mr Brooks said the lack of a Labor candidate showed the “contempt’’ the party had for regional areas.
“It highlights how important it is for candidates to declare who they will side with,” he said.
“Labor appear to care so little for this area that they don’t even have a candidate standing.
“After enduring a Victorian Labor government during COVID, the thought of facing a potential federal Labor government should be a scary proposition for people.”
Inside today’s edition, The Campaspe News completes a Q&A session with the six candidates. This was one of the questions we posed.
What are the three most important things to people in Nicholls?
Rikkie Tyrrell (One Nation): Freedom, community and honesty.
Jeff Davy (Citizens Party): Returning water rights to land titles. Accessing local banking services including cash. Access to affordable housing, proper rural roads and river tracks.
Dr Robert Peterson (United Australia): Keeping their rural lifestyle is the first and being able to enjoy the Australia way forged through generations. That has been taken away from people in recent years, their ability to travel and socialise. People want that back and they want a guarantee that their freedom will be a non-negotiable in the future. That is what is supposed to happen in Australia. No passports, people need to be able to move freely.
Steve Brooks (Liberal): Having our families and loved ones supported, our businesses fought for, and prioritising water and environment. People also understandably expect that all of that to be advocated for with honesty, integrity and conviction.
Sam Birrell (Nationals): Economic security, the opportunity to get ahead with hard work and opportunities for voters’ families.
Rob Priestly (Independent): People want a fair society where they get access to quality services and opportunity for themselves and the next generation, regardless of where they live. Integrity in politics is also important. The corruption and bad behaviour we see in Canberra isn’t what we deserve. We all want to feel proud of the country we live in and our place in the world. I think we can do better in matching our country’s actions with our country’s values.
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