Election field set
by Aidan Knight
With no new nominations lodged before yesterday's cut-off, six candidates are in the race for Narracan.
At the ballot draw late yesterday afternoon, Geoff Dethlefs (Family First) secured top position, followed by Wayne Farnham (Liberal), Alyssa Weaver (Greens), Moss Page (Victorian Socialists), Ben Lucas (One Nation), and Jannette Langley (Labor).
When asked if he thought securing the top spot would make a difference at the polls, Mr Dethlefs said, "I know that the donkey vote is an advantage, but I hope that people choose to vote for me because they like my policies, not my position".
"Family first, it's in the name", he said.
Asked how he was feeling about the campaign, Mr Dethlefs said: "I'm feeling very good about it. Yes, it's been an interesting time, and I've valued it," going on to say he would be relieved whether or not he got a good result on election day.
The VEC reported a record number of voters are registered for the state election, in what will see 4.2 million Victorians have their say on November 28.
"A democracy is at its strongest when everyone participates. It is the right and the responsibility of every eligible Victorian to have their say," electoral commissioner Sven Bluemmel said.
"We make it easy for everyone to make their voice heard with a range of voting options on and before election day. Plan ahead and choose the option that best suits you."
All Victorian households will receive the VEC's EasyVote guide in the mail. The guide explains the different voting options and how you can complete your ballot papers to make your vote count.
Narracan has long been regarded as one of the Liberal Party's safest regional electorates, having spent all but two terms in Liberal hands since its creation in 1967.
Incumbent Wayne Farnham enters the election holding a 13 per cent margin, although the party recorded a sizeable swing against it at the 2023 by-election. Labor's only success in the seat came through Ian Maxfield, who represented Narracan from 1999 to 2006.
Boundary changes before the 2022 election saw Narracan lose Moe to the seat of Morwell and expand westward into Cardinia Shire, taking in Bunyip, Garfield and some of Nar Nar Goon from the seat of Bass.
The redistribution reshaped the electorate into a seat focused largely on West Gippsland's growing commuter belt and rural communities.
