THE National Party will not field an Indi candidate to contest this federal election, but rather focus its resources on Bendigo.
State director Lyndel Feery confirmed that no deals were made with the Liberal Party in other electorates, but the Nationals prefer to focus its resources on the Bendigo seat.
The Nationals has been on a downward slide in Indi for several terms, with candidate Liz Fisher only securing 3.79 per cent of the primary vote in 2022, a plummet from 9.45pc for Mark Byatt in 2019, and 17.22pc for Marty Corboy in 2016.
It opens the door for other parties to garner more votes, but based on the 2022 election primaries, the Liberals will need a massive swing to snatch the seat from the Independent's grip, having held it since 2013.
In 2022, incumbent Helen Haines won the election with 40.68pc of the primary vote and an 8.33pc swing in her favour over Liberal candidate Ross Lyman, who secured 30.52pc of the primary.
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Current Liberal candidate for Indi James Trenery wants the election to be called soon following a postponement due to ex-tropical cyclone Alfred.
He said there are no guarantees Indi Nationals' votes will go his way, as “you still have to earn everyone’s vote”.
“I’m happy to work with anyone on the Nats’ side to make sure everyone knows where I stand on issues and if they’re happy to vote for me, they’re happy to vote for me,” Mr Trenery said.
“You would hope that people in that community would vote for me, but you have to earn every vote and if anyone has any questions, I’m happy to answer them as well.
“My stance on the battery in Dederang and Meadow Creek solar facility has certain helped.
“The National membership is onboard with that as well.”
As a regional member of parliament, Mr Trenery said the farming community is an important part of Indi.
“Not just with the number or people, but also the dollars around it with primary producers, it’s very important to small and larges towns alike in Indi,” he said.
Dr Haines encourage anyone who might have voted National in the past to consider voting Independent this election.
“I’m the daughter of dairy farmers and I have a track record fighting for our agricultural communities and farmers," she said.
"This dates right back to when I was first elected, helping farmers secure $15.2 million in financial support after the devastating Black Summer bushfires of 2019-2020.
"More recently, I backed farmers in opposing the Labor Government’s proposed super tax changes and in their attempts to push biosecurity levies and charges onto farmers – both fights we won.
"I stood up for our winemakers through the prosecco trade negotiations and I helped secure $76.4 million for Sustainable Agricultural Facilitators.
"I have clear policies to support farmers, like holding the big supermarkets to account, tax relief of up to $30,000 to help lower costs, along with housing, health, childcare and telecommunications and I'll keep up the fight for regional Australia.”
Mitch Bridges is the Labor candidate for Indi, but with the delay of the election being called, there has also been a delay in candidates from other parties being announced.
Odds for candidates to win the Indi election have Independent Helen Haines at $1.18, Liberal at $4.35, and Labor at $23.
