LABOR’S stranglehold on the western suburbs is slipping away on the back of voter frustration, according to Gellibrand Liberal candidate David McConnell.
Confirming his candidacy in the coming federal election, the 47-year-old father of three from Seddon said the area was suffering from its status as the nation’s safest Labor seat.
Gellibrand has been held by just four MPs in its 64-year history – all Labor – but Mr McConnell believes the departure of incumbent MP Nicola Roxon opens up the race.
Labor holds Gellibrand with a margin of 24 per cent, its largest margin in the nation.
Mr McConnell has previously contested Gellibrand and neighbour- ing Lalor as well as the state seat of Williamstown.
He “found it most extraordinary” that Labor had pre-selected Tim Watts to contest Gellibrand, given the Telstra executive has been living in Fitzroy. “I think it is important that you are in touch with the local community. The main issue raised has been infrastructure and doing something to try to reduce truck traffic in the area,” he said.
“I come from Seddon and I’m very aware of the truck traffic. I’m pleased to see the federal Liberal party is supporting the east-west link.”
Mr McConnell, self-employed in the IT industry and a registered builder, would like to see compliance hassles reduced for small businesses dealing with the taxation system.
With refugee and asylum seeker policy a key election issue, Mr McConnell said something needed to be done humanely.
“Changing the visa requirements for people to get into Indonesia looks like a positive step,” he said.
