By Corey Everitt
A familiar face will represent the Australian Labor Party locally this federal election, none other than former mayor Jeff Springfield.
The Emerald-based audio engineer announced his candidacy for the seat of La Trobe on Friday 28 March, the same day Prime Minister Albanese called the next election for 3 May.
Springfield will challenge incumbent Liberal MP Jason Wood, attempting to defeat the latter’s strong 8.7 per cent margin.
Springfield says cutting through the noise of Canberra is a significant motivator.
“One of my largest drivers is the toxic, divisive politics we have seen recently, which doesn’t solve anything,” Springfield said.
“We should be working together, I would like to represent my community with positive pathways forward.”
No stranger to politics, Springfield was a two-term councillor for Ranges Ward in Cardinia Shire. Between the years 2016 and 2024.
In those years, he served twice as mayor in 2020 and 2022.
He contested for a third term in last year’s council elections but was defeated narrowly by councillor David Nickell.
Springfield recently rejoined the Labor Party after he let his former membership lapse during his time as a councillor, for he believed it was no place for party politics, he said previously.
Where his previous role saw him regularly appealing to various candidates of higher office on local issues, Springfield will now see himself on the other side.
He will have to tackle power bills, taxes and housing in what is being called an election on cost of living.
“Why I joined up is what they (Labor) are trying to deliver in health and education, building a better future,” Springfield said.
“I heard so often in my time as a councillor about the restrictions on health services, so I am proud to be supporting Albanese and Labor in their work to get health costs down.
“We are such a large growth area, we need to make sure our community infrastructure keeps up with our population.
Being a councillor as of only last year, residents may not have to go to great lengths explaining their unique local issues.
Despite being a new candidate, infrastructure projects such as Cardinia Life’s redevelopment and upgrades to the Princes Freeway will be matters he is already familiar with.
In his private life, Springfield is an audio engineer and events manager in the music and entertainment industry. He owns and operates a music production studio in Belgrave.
The election is set for 3 May.
