By Parker McKenzie
It’s rare for two sitting members of parliament to compete in an election against each other, but as Liberal candidate Nick Wakeling and Labor candidate Jackson Taylor enter the final week of their campaign in Bayswater, they both expect the result to be a close contest.
Mr Wakeling, who was first elected to parliament as Ferntree Gully MP in 2006, saw his electorate abolished and absorbed by Monbulk, Bayswater and Rowville ahead of the 2022 state election.
Mr Wakeling said despite the change in electoral boundaries and move to Bayswater, the feedback at pre-polling has been positive.
“Now, it’s really an opportunity for residents to decide which government they want to lead the state and what’s best for our local communities,” he said.
“I’ve had plenty of tight battles before, I got elected to Parliament by 27 votes, so I know what a tough battle is and expect it to be close and it’ll go down to the wire. We’ll just do everything we can to put our plan forward.”
In the lead-up to the election, Mr Wakeling and the Liberal Party made the following local funding commitments if they form government:
$200,000 for Friends of Koolunga Native Reserve, First Friends of Dandenong Creek and Friends of Blind Creek Billabong
$134 million to extend the Route 75 Tram to Westfield Knox
$400,000 to host Multicultural Harmony Festivals across the City of Knox
Saving Lake Knox from being bulldozed, establishing an advisory committee and considering designating it a sanctuary
Upgrades to Alchester Village, Wantirna Mall, Studfield Shopping Strip and Bayswater Shopping precinct shopping strips
$500,000 to upgrade Kent Park Primary School
$11.07 for upgrades to Bayswater South Primary School
$7 million towards an indoor sports facility for Templeton Primary School
$3 million for a facility upgrade for St John the Baptist Parish Primary School
$2 million for a facility upgrade to St Joseph’s Primary School
$13.7 million for a performing arts and hospitality hub at Scoresby Secondary College
“I just want to thank everyone who is supporting our course, who’s voted for me but more importantly, as a local MP you can never take it for granted,” Mr Wakeling said.
“It’s always been an honour to represent the community regardless of how people vote. Whether they vote for you or against you, your job as a local member is to stand up for everyone.”
Mr Taylor knows all about tight battles too, after beating the three-term Bayswater MP Heidi Victoria by less than 300 votes in 2018 to be elected for the first time.
The incumbent Bayswater MP said it’s been the greatest honour representing an “amazing community in Parliament”.
“I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together the past four years, but there’s more to do,” he said.
“I’m respectfully asking for your support to keep delivering for Knox and doing what matters.”
He has made the following local funding commitments if his Labor Party is re-elected for a third term:
$11.07 million for upgrades to Bayswater South Primary School
$60 million for an upgrade to Boronia Station
$490,000 for a new dog park and upgraded playground in Wantirna
$1.2 million for Tormore Reserve Pavilion
$900,000 for a new sporting facility at Kent Park Primary
$10,000 for Templeton Tennis Club and $50,000 for Fairpark Reserve Pavilion
“I’d also like to thank all of my amazing volunteers for braving the weather and supporting me,” Mr Taylor said.
“It’s going to be a tight contest and, no matter the outcome, I’m very grateful for the great privilege of being the Labor Member for Bayswater.”
