General News
2 May, 2025
Federal Election: What’s in it for locals?
Residents, alongside the nation, will be casting their votes this Saturday in the 2025 federal election.
Alongside the nation, Central Goldfields Shire residents will be heading to the polling stations tomorrow to cast their ballot in the 2025 federal election.
Election day will bring to a close weeks of candidate campaigning to decide who of the eight contenders will take the Mallee seat in the House of Representatives.
While some electorates could help decide which party forms government Mallee, which encompasses 36.7 percent of the state, isn’t likely to be among them as a safe and consistent Nationals seat.
However, when the counting stops on millions of votes across the country how will Central Goldfields Shire locals be impacted by who forms government?
In April, the Nationals made a $1 million commitment to see more funding for upgrades at the Deledio Reserve if the Coalition forms government.
“Every town should be respected and invested in, and I certainly hope this one will be,” incumbent member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster said last month.
“I have to be clear, I can only make this funding a reality if the Coalition forms government after the upcoming election.”
If re-elected, the Australian Labor Government have made a $4.5 million commitment to aid in reopening Maryborough’s Outdoor Pool Precinct.
Alongside a possible $4.5 million grant from state government it would put the project, which has been closed since 2022, $1 million away from the estimated $10 million total cost.
However, speaking with The Addy, Dr Webster said Labor’s commitment is their only one for the Mallee electorate whereas the Coalition have made commitments as far as Mildura.
“When a Coalition government is in we recognise, because of the Nationals, that the regions deserve better,” she said.
Labor candidate Greg Olsen said, however, he felt it was “disingenuous” to make commitments before he is elected.
“I’m in the position, were I elected, to then be involved in considering the merits of all sorts of proposed community development projects,” he said.
Both major parties have made numerous commitments approaching election day.
Some of Labor’s commitments relevant to the Central Goldfields Shire include:
$1 billion fund to build and expand 160 childcare centres over four years.
Through a $10 billion commitment they intend to build 100,000 homes for first home buyers.
A once-off rebate on power bills of $150.
Among the commitments made by the Coalition relevant to the Central Goldfields Shire include:
Local government supported through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program which invests $1 billion in local infrastructure and road maintenance.
First home buyers will be, on average, $55,000 better off due to mortgage interest becoming tax deductible.
First home buyers could draw on up to $50,000 from their superannuation, returned if that home is sold.
Both major parties have made an $8.5 billion commitment to Medicare with the goal of making nine out of 10 GP visits bulk billed. The commitment is also intended to support policies aiming to improve GP availability.
At the ballot boxes Mallee locals will see eight candidates from various parties, listed below as they’ll be seen on the ballot:
Nicole Rowan, The Greens
Anne Webster, The Nationals
Chris Lahy, Citizens Party
Adam Troy Veitch, Trumpet of Patriots
Greg Olsen, Australian Labor Party
Vaughan Williams, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation
Jeff Barry, Libertarian
Ashleigh Gray, Family First