Indi contenders eye the finish line

MORE than a third of the Indi voters have had their say at the pre-polling centres across the electorate ahead of the 2025 Federal Election Day tomorrow. Of the field of nine contenders, punters and pundits have the main contenders as incumbent Independent Helen Haines at short odds ($1.07) to regain the seat, while Liberal James Trenery ($7) and Labor Mitch Bridges ($23) are forecast to place second and third respectively. But anything can happen and people still yet to vote hold the power in their hands. Up until the opening of pre-polls on Thursday, 39,140 people had voted in Indi of the120,854 enrolled voters, with early polling centres remaining open today from 8.30am to 6pm. Key issues this election have been the cost of living and how each candidate or party would work to bring change. Connected to this is energy and how best each major party is positioned to bring reductions to costs people face every day. Speaking to North East Media, Dr Haines, like Mr Trenery and Mr Bridges, wasn't taking anything for granted ahead of Saturday's election day. "We haven’t got to the big day but I’ve worked really hard, as I always do, throughout the campaign and I’m the kind of person who keeps going until the final siren sounds," she said. "I’ve had lots of help with over 1000 volunteers who are out working across pre-polls, we’ve knocked on 14,000-plus doors across the electorate and we’ve had loads of conversations with people. "We’ve put in a very big, detailed, enthusiastic campaign right across Indi." Mr Trenery is confident he can win and said he's buoyed by the reception Liberal volunteers have been getting at pre-polling centres. "The campaign has been amazing and I've been involved with the last three elections handing out how to vote flyers and this is the most positive it has been - there's a mood for change," he said. "The unusual thing is the amount of people snapping up the Liberal flyers, they are usually reserved sort of people, but they're coming through and making sure that's the only one they've got." Mr Trenery's view from the start was that he could win Indi and this hasn't changed. "It's great that it's positive and it does keep you going because there have been 12-14 hour days during the election, it's fantastic," he said. Mr Bridges said he has enjoyed his campaign, speaking to a range of people and learning about issues they've been facing. “Most of the issues people are facing require a strong party of government to deliver change," he said. “I certainly don’t want to be downplaying the efforts of the Independent and I certainly welcome her contributions with things like the National Anti-corruption Commission. “But the questions people are facing now can only be answered by a serious party of government.” Dr Haines qualified her track record. "The thing about me is that I’m an experienced member of parliament and I’ve worked with both Liberal and Labor governments and I can influence at a national level whoever is holding the keys to the Lodge and have local impact, and I’ve demonstrated that with the major parties," she said. If re-elected Dr Haines gave some insight into how she would vote if a minority government was elected. Although she didn't rule out making deals to get the best for Indi, she did have several conditions. "Number one, I have to be re-elected and I don’t presume that I will," she said. "The second thing to consider is what to the numbers look like across the House of Representatives and how many seats have the two major parties won. “There are many variables like who else is on the crossbench and whoever forms government may wish to negotiate with two members or the whole crossbench. “I have a proven track record of considering every piece of legislation on its merits and I would never give up the right to do that. “Should there be a minority government I pledge to the people of Indi that the way I behave in the parliament will continue. “A lot of people get caught up in making a deal and the thing I wouldn’t do is sign a deal that locks me in to always vote one side or the other." However, Mr Trenery believes that 'the orange party' has been in for so long and people are looking for change. "There are a lot of small business people who are quite nervous about a Labor-Greens coalition that would do a fair bit of damage to their business and the way they go about business," he said. Mr Bridges admitted that it has been an up-hill battle as a Labor candidate in a seat held by an Independent for 12 years and prior to that a safe Liberal seat. “We do put someone up every election but I would like to challenge the premise that we put someone up 'just to run'," he said. “Our candidates are passionate community members because we can see the change that Labor is delivering while we’re in government. “We don’t stop campaigning on 4 May and we have a strong Labor membership in Indi, nurses, teachers and people who are employed in essential trades. With the odds also short for Labor to win the election, Mr Bridges said it’s looking like Labor will win a majority government, however, he said the party can’t take that for granted. “We’ll be working right up to the polls close at 6pm Saturday," he said. Polling places on election day voting, 3 May, will be open from 8am to 6pm, and they include: St Johns Primary School, 27-37 Anderson Street, Euroa; Strathbogie Recreation Reserve, 62 Spring Creek Road, Strathbogie; and Violet Town Community House, 35 Cowslip Sreet, Violet Town.

Indi contenders eye the finish line

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