Analysis: Richard Marles’ possible elevation to deputy PM likely on back of voters at 15 Geelong booths

If deputy-Prime Minister in-waiting Richard Marles is delivered to the second highest political position in the land, support within his Corio electorate is likely to come from these voters.

If deputy-Prime Minister in-waiting Richard Marles is delivered to the second highest political position in the land, support within his Corio electorate is likely to come from these voters.

Voters at 15 booths — across South Geelong, Bell Park, Geelong West, Corio, Hamlyn Heights, Newcomb, Norlane and North Shore, Bell Post Hill and Thomson — have secured the seat for Labor at every election between 2004 and 2019, a News Corp analysis of voting data reveals.

Deputy Leader of the Opposition Richard Marles. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

Rusted on Labor voter - Corio electorate

Mr Marles, first elected in 2007, holds Corio on a 10 per cent margin.

But the thorn in his side has been the majority Liberal vote that’s come from booths at Anakie, Highton and Newtown at every election between 2004 and 2019.

Meanwhile a News Corp analysis of voting data in the neighbouring marginal Corangamite electorate shows ballots at booths in Ceres, Freshwater Creek, Inverleigh, Moriac, Mount Duneed, Point Lonsdale, Queenscliff and Wallington have delivered a Liberal majority at every election between 2004 and 2019.

A majority Labor vote in Corangamite in the same time period was pinned on the Airey’s Inlet voting booth.

But that booth moves into the neighbouring Wannon electorate for the 2022 election due to a change of electorate boundaries caused by population growth.

Former engineer and Highton resident Lloyd Fletcher, 73, admits his demographic fits the “a typical Liberal voter”.

But the former business owner, who has lived in the Geelong region for more than 40 years and whose political motivations stem back to the Vietnam War era and Labor’s abolishment of conscription, is a rusted-on Labor supporter.

Born in Perth, Mr Fletcher came to Victoria in the mid 60s to join the RAAF and to dodge conscription.

“I wanted to be a pilot initially but I ended up doing engineering full time with the air force. “I then ended up owning my own business. Really my demographic sits as a typical Liberal voter.

“The Vietnam War triggered my involvement in politics and anti-conscription marches, so I was already involved and since then.

“I just believe that the Labor Party are the only one that changes things for the good of the country and the people — not for the good of the party.

“I have a very large social conscious and I just can’t abide any other party.”

Asked if he was annoyed about Corio missing out on the rivers of gold that flow to the neighbouring marginal Corangamite electorate, Mr Fletcher said: “I’m more interested in the big picture federally rather than local issues.”

Mr Fletcher said Anthony Albanese’s small target policy agenda was not a cause of concern.

“As a Labor voter it is disappointing they are not standing up with their policies but I totally understand why they are doing it because they will get killed at the polls, and the Liberal party will just jump all over them.

“Labor will do what is necessary for the country in the long term like climate change, health education and investment in other critical areas.

“There’s a whole social problem in Australia where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer and the gap has to close … and the Labor Party will start closing it.”

Originally published as Analysis: Richard Marles’ possible elevation to deputy PM likely on back of voters at 15 Geelong booths