Former mayor running as independent in Flinders

A first-term councillor on the Mornington Peninsula will attempt a switch to federal politics by running as a candidate in the electorate held by Health Minister Greg Hunt.

Mount Martha resident Despi O’Connor has confirmed she will contest the election as an independent in Flinders after Mr Hunt announced plans to leave Parliament at the coming poll.

Independent Despi O’Connor will contest the coming federal election in the Flinders electorate.

She has the support and endorsement of Julia Banks, who won the suburban seat of Chisholm for the Liberal Party in 2016 before turning independent and then unsuccessfully contesting the 2019 election in Flinders.

Cr O’Connor was elected to the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council last year and has already completed one term as mayor.

She said integrity in government, action on climate change and equality - particularly for women - would be among the main platforms of her campaign.

“I’m taking a big leap,” she said. “My community is tapping me on the shoulder. It wants to see change and I think I can do that for them.”

Former Liberal turned-independent MP Julia Banks is backing Despi O’Connor’s bid to win the Flinders electorate. Credit: Simon Schluter

The Liberal Party holds Flinders with a 5.6 per cent margin, but it has not yet preselected a candidate.

Cr O’Connor had sought preselection with the Voices of Mornington Peninsula group but said she had been unsuccessful in gaining their support. However, she insisted she held no animosity towards the group, saying it had worked hard to bring about change in politics.

“I appreciate all the work they’ve been doing.”

Cr O’Connor is a teacher and marathon runner who has lived in Mount Martha for about 15 years.

Mr Hunt’s decision to retire from politics, after holding the seat for 20 years, means the Liberal Party will not have the advantage of incumbency.

Cr O’Connor describes herself as a swinging voter who backed the Liberals in 2016, but cast her ballot for Ms Banks at the last federal election in 2019.

Ms Banks said she struck up a relationship with Cr O’Connor after they met at a pre-poll booth in 2019.

“I’ve been one of many people in the community who have encouraged her to run. With Greg Hunt’s departure it’s time for a true, independent grassroots candidate,” Ms Banks said.

Monash University senior politics lecturer Zareh Ghazarian said poor treatment of women in federal Parliament had tarnished the major parties, but he said it would be a disaster for the Liberal Party if it lost Flinders.

“If they are going to retain government they cannot afford to lose Flinders,” he said.

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