Public transport big election issue in Pascoe Vale

PUBLIC transport, or the lack of it, looms large for candidates for the seat of Pascoe Vale.

MUD Holes on the Hurstbridge train line between Eltham and Hurstbridge are the worst on the Metro network and could endanger train passengersÕ lives if they are not fixed, according to train drivers. Locomotive branch division president of the Rail Tram and Bus union Terry Sheedy said the stretch had only had a little work done on maintenance and the trackÕs foundations were becoming unstable.

PUBLIC transport, or the lack of it, looms large for candidates for the seat of Pascoe Vale.

Leader put questions without notice to the six candidates vying for the generally safe Labor seat in the state election, with only Liberal and Family First candidates declining to take part.

Socialist Alliance candidate Sean Brocklehurst and Greens candidate Liam Farrelly were passionate in citing rail as a priority for the electorate over roads, with Mr Brocklehurst calling for the duplication of the Upfield line and Mr Farrelly wanting to see more public transport options for residents north of Boundary Rd.

WHAT IS YOUR MAIN PASCOE VALE ELECTION ISSUE? TELL US BELOW

Labor candidate Lizzie Blandthorn and independent candidate Francesco Timpano sat on the fence, both giving road and rail equal priority.

Ms Blandthorn said Labor planned to remove the rail crossings in Glenroy and Bell St to make life easier for commuters, while also improving public transport.

Mr Timpano said there needed to be a more comprehensive analysis of the community’s rail and road before money was thrown at the problem.

The four were quizzed on how long they have lived in the electorate, and why residents should vote for them, with all four revealing themselves to be local residents. However, only Mr Farrelly was able to correctly name the State Treasurer, Michael O’Brien.

Liberal candidate Jacqueline Khoo originally agreed to take part in the Leader questionnaire but pulled out the day before, saying she was too busy for the 10-minute interview.

Family First candidate Thomas Ha listed contact details for Family First representative Shane Clark. When contacted, Mr Clark said it would be “extremely difficult” to organise for Leader to speak to the candidate.

Pundits have already described the seat of Pascoe Vale as impossible for Labor to lose, with Monash University senior lecturer in politics Nick Economou saying even “a broken mobile phone” would win for Labor.

The seat is being vacated by retiring state Labor MP Christine Campbell, who won in 2010 with a 17.8 per cent lead over the Liberals.

Ms Blandthorn, who is Ms Campbell’s goddaughter, is currently favourite to win.