Federal election 2022: Casey candidates put up a healthy competition for the top spot

Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles brought a bit of star power to the pre-polling booth in Lilydale as the fight for Casey heats up.

Casey candidates Aaron Violi (LNP), Bill Brindle (ALP) and Craig Cole (IND) on the first day of early voting in Lilydale. Image: Gemma Scerri

A Labor heavyweight was on hand to give the ALP candidate in the seat of Casey a boost as pre-polling began on Monday, but an exclusive NewsCorp survey it appeared the Liberals had their noses in front.

In an exclusive exit poll at the St Patrick’s Community Hall booth in Lilydale, 100 voters told us where they cast their votes.

Coming in with 42 votes, the Liberals were the most popular with Aaron Violi vying for the seat against Labor’s Bill Brindle in the wake of sitting Casey Liberal MP Tony Smith’s retirement.

But Labor’s deputy leader Richard Marles wasn’t fazed by the early results.

“It’s early days, the election is anyone’s game at this stage,” Mr Marles said.

“Bill is doing a great job with this campaign, we do think it’s cutting through to the voters.”

Placing second, the Labor Party scored a total of 28 votes out of those surveyed.

Mr Brindle was happy to wait patiently for the final outcome, saying the focus wasn’t about winning, but on giving the community a voice they can trust.

Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles support Casey candidate Bill Brindle in Lilydale, image: Gemma Scerri

“We can only be out here, letting people know that we are listening, and doing the best that we can do for our community” Mr Brindle said.

The exit poll revealed the growing popularity of two independent candidates, Craig Cole drawing eight votes, and Claire Ferres Miles collecting nine votes.

Ms Ferres Miles and Mr Cole have vastly differing policy ideas, but both agree the average voter is more open to independent candidates because they are feeling disenfranchised by the major parties.

“People want their voice to be heard. I would say all independents are fighting for exactly that to happen,” Mr Cole said.

Another candidate looking to give the people more of a voice is Anthony Bellve, representing the United Australia Party (UAP), who scored five of the early votes

“Over the last two years, a lot of people have felt like they haven’t had a voice,” Mr Bellve said.

“That’s what voting is all about, it’s important to all of us as candidates — that people know every single vote does count.”