Flanked by supporters and draped in orange – a colour which has become a signature of independent MP Cathy McGowan – Helen Haines admits there’s a tough battle ahead.
Ms Haines, a midwife and health academic, is running for the rural Victorian seat of Indi, hoping to make history and become the first independent to succeed an independent incumbent.
“It would be an amazing thing and I think if there was ever an electorate who can make history, I think it’s Indi,” Ms Haines said.
Helen Haines is the first independent to succeed another. Source: SBS News
“What we’re really striving for in Indi this time is that we’re voting for something and we’re voting for good representation, we’re voting for an electorate that sees itself rather differently now."
The candidate has the blessing of retiring MP Cathy McGowan and support of more than 1600 volunteers, dubbed the ‘orange army’.
“She has 110 per cent of my support so I’m really pleased that she’s there and that I can be behind her and pass the baton on. I couldn’t think of someone better to pick up the legacy and do the work,” Ms McGowan said.
“It’s a huge thing we’re trying to do this transition but it’s also for the community to chose what sort of representation they want."
Ms McGowan won the once safe seat off Liberal MP, Sophie Mirabella, in 2013 by just 439 votes.
She went on to win the 2016 election with a margin of 5.52 per cent.
Liberal candidate Steve Martin is hoping to wrest the seat out of independent hands. Source: SBS News
The Liberal Party is hopeful local engineer, Steve Martin, can win back the prized seat.
Mr Martin has been campaigning in the 29,000-square-kilometre electorate since his preselection last December.
“I’m passionate about seeing our region grow, to grow that means we need more jobs, we need to support our small and family businesses growing, but we also need the services in there to see that growth,” Mr Martin said.
“I guess what I’ve said to people is what’s even better than having an active local member who’s an independent is having an active local member who’s within the Government and can actually advocate within those issues."
Independent MP Cathy McGowan delivers her valedictory speech in Parliament. Source: AAP
In a sign of how critical the seat is for the government, Prime Minister Scott Morrison, visited the electorate to promise $64 million to upgrade a notorious intersection.
There are several candidates running in the seat including: Eric Kerr (ALP), Mark Byatt (Nationals), Helen Robinson (The Greens ) and Shane Wheatland (UAP).
Though, the two main contenders are Ms Haines and Mr Martin and the contest could come down to preferences.
Labor candidate breaks ranks
Mr Martin will benefit from preferences of the Nationals and the United Australia Party, while Ms Haines will benefit from Labor’s preferences.
Labor’s candidate, Eric Kerr, has broken ranks calling for a minimum of $75 a week increase to Newstart.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said that if elected Labor would hold a review into the rate of Newstart, but has stopped short from committing to an increase.
Ms Haines has also thrown her support behind the increase, telling a voter forum in Wadonga she would advocate for the increase if successful on 18 May.
She says such social issues are emblematic of an electorate which has changed from traditionally conservative views.
“What we’re really striving for in Indi this time is that we’re voting for something and we’re voting for good representation, we’re voting for an electorate that sees itself rather differently now,” Ms Haines said.
