Labor MPs Ella George and Alison Marchant reveal vision for Geelong

New local Labor MPs Ella George and Alison Marchant are the first to admit they have big shoes to fill. Here is how they will do it.

Bellarine ALP candidate Alison Marchant and Lara candidate Ella George say they have big shoes to fill. Picture: Brad Fleet

Fresh-faced local Labor MPs Ella George and Alison Marchant have paid tribute to the popular retiring members they are replacing, John Eren and Lisa Neville.

“If I had a dollar for every time someone told me I had big shoes to fill, I’d be a millionaire by now,” Ms George, the new Lara MP, said with a laugh on Sunday.

Ms George was ahead in the count in Lara on Sunday afternoon with 66.7 per cent of the two-party preferred (2PP) vote, only facing a minor swing against her after replacing outgoing MP John Eren who held the seat since 2006.

And on the Bellarine, Alison Marchant was also facing a minor swing against her with about 58.5 per cent of the 2PP vote as she replaced Lisa Neville who had held the seat since 2002.

A minor swing away from such recognisable names was expected, with both Ms George and

Bellarine ALP candidate Alison Marchant and Lara candidate Ella George pictured at the waterfront. Picture: Brad Fleet

Ms Marchant now set to forge legacies of their own over at least the next four years, while paying tribute to the legacies of their predecessors.

“John leaves a remarkable legacy in the north, but it’s a legacy that is ongoing because there are so many projects that he fought hard for that are currently underway,” Ms George said.

“To do John justice it’s about continuing on with those projects. There’s lots of projects underway which he fought hard for funding for, like the $15 million upgrade at Northern Bay that’s currently underway, the Northern Aquatic and Community Hub in Norlane, even the six-ways intersection up in Lara.

“I’m really grateful to the people of the Lara district to have put their faith in Labor and elect me.”

Ms Marchant on Saturday night joked it was lucky she had “big feet” to try and fill Ms Neville’s shoes.

“Lisa leaves an incredible legacy. The list is long of what she’s done for the community,” Ms Marchant said on Sunday. “And all the things she has done have always been for the community first… That’s the precedent of what I want to do.”

“I’m ready for it. I’m not shying away from it, that’s for sure.

“I kind of now just have to prove myself. I’ve told everyone I’ll work bloody hard and put the community first, now it’s about showing that. Doing the hard work, doing the hard yakka, and I’m up for that.”

Originally published as Labor MPs Ella George and Alison Marchant reveal vision for Geelong