By Parker McKenzie
Prime Ministers in Chinese restaurant carparks, the opposition leader handing out lettuce in Ferntree Gully and less than subtle digs from candidates: All this and more, just in time for pre-polling to start on Monday 20 March.
Both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton have been a common sight around the suburbs that make up the electorate after the Saturday 1 April by-election was triggered by Alan Tudge’s retirement from politics.
Mr Dutton was at Foothill’s Community Care’s Wednesday night dinner alongside Liberal candidate Roshena Campbell and Casey MP Aaron Violi, as the trio helped hand out free food to those in attendance.
“Thank you very much to all the volunteers who are here and the amazing people,” Mr Dutton said.
“I just wanted to say thank you for having us and I’m sorry to interrupt, but you’re about to have dinner. It smells fantastic.”
At Foothills, Ms Campbell told the Star Mail she was finalising her move to the Aston electorate.
“I committed when I stood for this seat that I would move into the seat and we picked up keys for a property on the weekend,” she said.
“Out of the two major parties there will be one will be an Aston local on election day.”
The following day, Mr Albanese, Labor candidate Mary Doyle and Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Andrew Giles held a press conference in the car park of Mei Jing Chinese Restaurant in Wantirna.
Ms Doyle said she was thrilled to welcome the pair to the local area.
“Since May last year, it feels like there’s an audible sigh of relief to have a competent, sensible government leading the nation again,” Ms Doyle said.
“I want to be part of the Albanese Labor government, which has restored Australia’s reputation on the world stage.”
Mr Albanese said his government understands that Australia’s diversity is a strength.
“The truth is that the modern liberal party are too busy fighting each other to worry about fighting for the interests of people,” Mr Albanese said.
“They have a leader, a bloke who told Melbournians that they weren’t safe to go out, who attacked Victorians during the pandemic.”
From Monday 20 March, three early voting centres will open:
Boronia Community Church of Christ, 59 Boronia Rd, Boronia
St Jude’s Parish Centre, 51 George Street, Scoresby
Ferntree Gully Road Business Hub, 1350 Ferntree Gully Road, Scoresby
For more information on opening times for voting and all voting centres open on Saturday 1 April, visit aec.gov.au/aston/voting
