Surf Coast Shire councillor Paul Barker confirms Corangamite candidacy
A local councillor and RSL president is putting his hand up again in the crucial seat of Corangamite, with voters disillusioned with the major parties a key target.
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A Surf Coast councillor who this week voted to reinstate Australia Day celebrations is again standing for federal parliament.
Paul Barker was confirmed late Friday as the Libertarian Party’s candidate in the crucial seat of Corangamite.
He stood in 2022 for the then Liberal Democrats, picking up 2.5 per cent of the primary vote.
Mr Barker, a councillor since 2020 and president of the Torquay RSL sub-branch, is aiming to build on that support, with voters disillusioned with the major parties a key target.
“This election, I encourage every voter to ask: ‘Do you feel better off than you did three years ago?’ If not, it’s time to try something different,” he said.
“Libertarians offer a clear alternative of policies that put people first, not politicians.”
Mr Barker, who described Libby Coker’s two terms as Corangamite MP as “underwhelming”, was one of three members of a “back to basics” group who successfully contested last year’s Surf Coast election.
He was a strong supporter of Rebecca Bourke’s failed push on Tuesday night to bring back Australia Day citizenship ceremonies and council-endorsed celebrations.
Mr Barker opposed council’s move in 2021 to cease acknowledging Australia Day, saying it was an example of “woke ideology getting out of hand”.
“While there are wide-ranging discussions needed on the topic, broad consultation was avoided (in 2021) to support a particular group of people at the expense of the majority,” he said.
“All this has done is reduce public support for Indigenous reconciliation and angered a large sector of our community, possibly the majority … terrible outcomes for both cohorts.”
YouGov research released earlier this month predicted a swing against Ms Coker of 5.2 per cent, which would see her retain the seat over Liberal candidate Darcy Dunstan by 2.4 per cent.
Mr Barker and Mr Dunstan, both former defence personnel, have worked closely together at Torquay RSL.
“Darcy is a good bloke with a strong work ethic and I respect that,” he said.
“While we might share some views, my focus is clear: empower Australians to take back control of their lives by reducing government interference and lifting the tax burden off families and businesses.
“I think this isn’t possible under a Liberal or Labor government.”
The election must be held by May 17 and Mr Barker said he would take unpaid leave from council once the campaign ramps up.
It is expected that Voices of Corangamite, a group made up of a small number of politically active volunteers, will announce its candidate in the coming week.
Mitch Pope is the Greens’ candidate, while minor parties including the Animal Justice Party and One Nation have not put anyone forward yet.
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Originally published as Surf Coast Shire councillor Paul Barker confirms Corangamite candidacy
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