Greens candidate Jason Ball set to tackle Kelly O’Dwyer at next federal election

SAME-sex marriage champion Jason Ball will lead the Greens push to unseat federal cabinet minister Kelly O’Dwyer in a contest for the blue-ribbon seat of Higgins.

SAME-sex marriage champion Jason Ball will lead the Greens push to unseat federal cabinet minister Kelly O’Dwyer.

The former Young Victorian of the Year will again contest the blue-ribbon seat of Higgins, having achieved the strongest Greens vote in the electorate at the 2016 federal election.

Financial Services and Revenue Minister Kelly O’Dwyer has come under fire for her hesitance to admit it was a mistake to not previously support a royal commission into the banking sector.

KELLY O’DWYER’S STUNNING BACKFLIP

Greens candidate Jason Ball. Picture: Ellen Smith

Mr Ball, an equality advocate and openly gay suburban footballer, says he’s confident this time the conditions are right to snatch the seat.

He said a huge surge in young people added to the electoral roll, and growing dissatisfaction with the incumbent’s handling of the banking inquiry, had left voters hungry for change.

“People in Higgins deserve representation with integrity. Right now, we have a member in this seat whose last election campaign was funded by the very corporations we now know have been ripping off the little guy and lying to regulators for decades,” Mr Ball said.

Mr Ball would need a swing of 8 per cent to win — less than the swing Adam Bandt achieved when he won Melbourne for the Greens in 2010 in his second tilt at the seat.

Revenue and Financial Services Minister Kelly O'Dwyer has come under fire. Picture: Britta Campion/The Australian

AFL SLOW ON GAY RIGHTS, SAYS BALL

FOOTY HAS WORK TO DO: BALL

The Greens crossed a critical threshold in 2016 by jumping Labor to finish second and have earmarked the seat, along with Melbourne Ports, as their best chances to win.

Ms O’Dwyer’s superannuation changes have also upset those within her own party, with disgruntled Toorak millionaires having run a fierce campaign against her.

They have unsuccessfully attempted to draft Peta Credlin, Tony Abbott’s divisive former chief of staff, and ex-treasurer Peter Costello to challenge her preselection.