Harley Mackenzie confirmed as Legalise Cannabis candidate in Corangamite

Following its recent success at the Victorian and NSW elections, the Legalise Cannabis Party has added some extra puff to the Corangamite campaign. Should cannabis be legal? HAVE YOUR SAY.

Harley Mackenzie is standing for the Legalise Cannabis Party in Corangamite. Picture: Supplied.

The candidates keep on coming in Corangamite, with the latest to enter the contest a Torquay resident and business owner who says it’s time for a “smarter approach” to drug policy.

Harley Mackenzie has been endorsed by Legalise Cannabis, a party that advocates for the drug to be treated similar to alcohol and tobacco, minus the ever-growing levels of tax.

It is the first time the party has put forward a candidate in Corangamite and comes after the election of David Ettershank and Rachel Payne to Victoria’s upper house at the 2022 state election.

Jeremy Buckingham, a former Greens MP, was elected to the NSW upper house in 2023 under the Legalise Cannabis banner.

There is heated debate as to whether cannabis should be legalised in Australia.

Dr Mackenzie is founder and managing director of HARD Software, a company that delivers software, data analytics, forecasting, and regulatory insight across the National Electricity Market, particularly in the renewable energy space.

He holds an applied mathematics doctorate from Monash University.

“I’m standing for Corangamite to give voice to the thousands of Australians who support compassionate, evidence-based cannabis reform,” he said.

“This isn’t just about legalisation, it’s about health, freedom, and common sense.

“The war on drugs has failed – it’s time for a smarter approach.”

Dr Mackenzie’s campaign will focus on legalisation and reform, where drug use is treated as a health issue, not a crime.

The party is also strong on issues surrounding civil liberties and human rights.

“People in Torquay, Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula, and across Corangamite deserve real representation, not party spin,” Dr Mackenzie said.

“I’m running as a candidate who listens, works from evidence, and puts community first.”

Dr Mackenzie is the seventh confirmed candidate in Corangamite, a set held by Labor’s Libby Coker with a 7.6 per cent margin.

While Ms Coker, elected in 2019, faces a swing against her, although the extent of that has reduced from 5.2 per cent in mid-February to 2.7 per cent, according to YouGov research released on Sunday.

The same research found minor parties and independents securing 30 per cent of the primary vote in Corangamite, including Greens support of 15.9 per cent.

One Nation, which announced Colin Seabrook as its candidate on Friday, is projected to get 6 per cent.

The federal election is scheduled for May 3.

Earlier: Corangamite candidate to stand after switching sides

A first-time political candidate is throwing his hat in the ring in the increasingly crowded seat of Corangamite, having made the move from one conservative party to another.

The calling of the federal election on Friday coincided with confirmation from One Nation that Colin Seabrook would represent the right-wing party at the May 3 poll.

Colin Seabrook, One Nation’s candidate for Corangamite.

He becomes the sixth candidate in Corangamite, held by Labor’s Libby Coker since 2019.

Despite Ms Coker increasing her margin from a touch over 1 per cent to 7.6 per cent at the 2022 election, she is facing a strong challenge from the Liberal Party’s Darcy Dunstan

Mr Seabrook, a Melton resident, conceded he knew nothing about Ms Coker, but said the election would be fought on national issues.

Having joined One Nation only a fortnight ago after leaving Family First because it wasn’t “forceful enough”, he cited immigration, energy and increasing defence spending as a proportion of GDP as key issues, while also railing against Victoria’s Safe Schools program.

Mr Seabrook wants to grow One Nation’s primary vote from the 2.5 per cent it received last election to “well over four (per cent)”.

“I believe it is achievable if I continue putting the effort in,” he said.

In a contest where minor party and independent candidate preferences could play a decisive role, YouGov released research last month that showed One Nation’s vote in Corangamite could be as high as 7.5 per cent.

Mr Seabrook said he was given the choice of standing in the Hawke or Gorton electorates, where One Nation respectively received a primary vote of 5.6 per cent and 7.3 per cent in 2022, but opted for Corangamite as he was “up for a challenge”.

“I’m looking forward to getting down there, making my face known … I want people to know me, know what I’m about before they arrive to vote,” he said.

Mr Seabrook joins fellow minor party candidates Paul Barker (Libertarian) and Mitch Pope (Greens), while Kate Lockhart has been put forward as an independent by the Voices of Corangamite group.

Geelong Real Deal Alliance, a coalition of community organisations, religious groups and unions, has this week promoted an April 10 forum at Club Italia where Corangamite candidates would detail how they plan to tackle housing affordability and rising energy costs.

This is despite Ms Coker and Mr Dunstan not yet confirming their participation.

Originally published as Harley Mackenzie confirmed as Legalise Cannabis candidate in Corangamite