A host of marginal seats across metropolitan Melbourne could decide the outcome of the May 3 federal election, but the western suburbs seat of Fraser isn’t among them.
Held by Labor’s Dr Daniel Mulino by a margin of more than 16 per cent, the seat covering all of of the Maribyrnong council area, most of Brimbank, and following a redistribution, some northern parts of Hobsons Bay, is one of the Albanese government’s safest, immune to even a historic swing against it.
That hasn’t stopped five candidates from across the political spectrum lining up to take on Dr Mulino in the seat named after for Liberal Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser and which was only created in 2018.
The Greens Huong Truong, the Liberal Party’s Satish Patel, Jasmin Duff of the Victoria Socialists, Rob Rancie of Family first and One Nation’s George Rozario will join Dr Mulino on the ballot on May 3.
Buoyed by their strong performances in Footscray and Maribyrnong at both the last state and council elections, the Greens campaign has been particularly enthusiastic, with a $4 million dollar public art gallery at the Footscray Community Arts Centre their bigges proposal so far.
The Victoria Socialists also performed strongly in Footscray at the 2022 state election and their candidate Jasmine Duff has been joined by the party’s senate candidate, affordable housing advocate and Tik Tok star, Jordan van den Lam, aka Purple Pingers, on the campaign trial.
Like the Greens, the Victoria Socialists are benefiting from the continued gentrification of Footscray and the addition of inner-west suburbs like Spotswood and Yarraville from neighbouring Gellibrand.
Further west in the the old industrial suburbs around Braybrook, Sunshine and St Albans, the Greens and Victoria Socialists are likely to be less of a threat to Labor, which is committing $2 billion to the redevelopment of Sunshine Station, by far the biggest election promise in the seat so far.
The Sunshine Station funding is opposed by the Liberal Party, making the job of its candidate, Satish Patel, even harder.
A candidate for Wyndham council at last year’s municipal elections, Mr Patel was only announced as Liberal candidate for Fraser on April 7, more than a week after the election was called.
The delay was caused by the party’s previous candidate, Luan Walker, having to stand down in March after being found in breach of Section 44 of the constitution by having dual Vietnamese citizenship.
What the cadidates have to s ay –
Huong Truong – Greens
I’m the daughter of Vietnamese refugees and a local mum. As a policy-maker, I’ve worked for decades to protect our environment anbd the livability of our suburbs.
As a community organiser, I know when our diverse communities see a need, we’ll find a way. Only the Greens have a plan to tax the billionaires and invest in the West. Let’s get dental and mental health into Medicare; stop unlimited rent rises and bring down mortgages; ensure no new coal and gas. The Greens never take dirty corporate donations. So I’ll always work in our communities best interests.
This election, Vote 1 Greens.
Jasmine Duff – Victoria Socialists
I’ve spent years as a community activist, and I’m running for Fraser because I can’t stand watching the rich get richer while working class people struggle to put roofs over our heads. It doesn’t have to be like this. I’ll fight for price controls on staple goods, lower mortgage interest rates and caps on rents to make housing affordable. We need a rapid expansion of public housing, free and accessible childcare and to reverse privatisation of core services.
If I’m elected, I will only take the wage of an average nurse and donate the rest to community campaigns
Daniel Mulino – Australian Labor Party
It’s been a privilege to represent Fraser for the past six years. It’s a vibrant, hard-working community and you’d struggle to find more generous people than those who call the West home. But we have our fair share of challenges. I am asking for your vote so we can meet those challenges together and continue to build on the progress we’ve made since the last election. More access to bulk-billed GP appointments; more affordable housing; $2 billion for Sunshine Station. This election, Australians face a choice: Dutton’s cuts or a Labor government committed to a brighter, fairer future for all.
Rob Rancie – Family First
I know what hard work, family, and common sense look like. I started a financial planning business over 40 years ago—now it’s run by my three sons and employs over 10 staff. With a degree in economics and years spent as a school teacher, I bring real-life experience to the table. My wife and I raised ten children, spent four years in China doing charity work and I’ve also been a local church pastor. I’ll work to bring down power prices by scrapping net zero, protect faith-based schools, and stand up to radical gender ideology being pushed in our classrooms.
Satish Patel – Liberal Party
Labor’s cost of living crisis is hurting the entire Fraser community.
Rent is up, housing is up, groceries are up, electricity is up, insurance is up.
Only a Coalition Government led by Peter Dutton has a plan to provide sustainable cost of living relief.
We will cut petrol tax by 25 cents a litre, saving families with two cars $1,500 a year.
We will deliver most Australians up to $1200 in tax relief when they lodge their returns for the 2025-26 financial year. Australians cannot afford another three years of Labor. It’s time to get Australia back on track.
George Rozario – One Nation
I’m running for Fraser because our community deserves a strong, honest voice in Canberra—someone who puts Australians first. As your One Nation candidate, I will fight for secure borders, lower living costs, better local services, and real support for working families and small businesses. I stand for free speech, traditional Australian values, and accountable government—not political games or global agendas. Fraser needs a representative who listens and acts with integrity. I’m ready to stand up for everyday Australians—no spin, just straight talk and action. Let’s bring real change to Fraser – together.
