Federal election: Ex-commando Ross Lyman in the race for Indi, schoolteacher aims for Nicholls

The race for the seat of Indi at this year’s federal election is heating up, with a former commando joining the fray.

A wine industry executive who was previously an army commando in Afghanistan is marching into a battle of a different sort as the Liberal candidate for Indi at this year’s federal election.

Ross Lyman, who lives at Wahgunyah on the Murray River, was confirmed as the candidate late last week after a marathon search beginning in April last year.

He will be trying to bring an end to three terms of independent rule in the previous safe Liberal seat by rolling incumbent Helen Haines.

After his military work, Mr Lyman returned to Australia in 2010 and secured executive roles at Treasury Wine Estates and the McWilliam’s Wines Group.

His partner, Eliza Brown, is chief executive of well-known northeast wineries, All Saints Estate and St Leonards.

Ross Lyman. Picture: Supplied

The 41-year-old said her resilience through natural disasters then Covid had played a role in seeking a career in politics.

“Through the GFC, droughts, floods and fires she has been able to continue to build her business,” he said.

“She is not alone in her criticism of the current state government, but supportive for what the Coalition has done (at a federal level).

“No one is prepped for a once in a 100-year pandemic.

“I think they’ve done extremely well when you look at cases numbers and deaths from Covid, they are among the lowest in the world, and our economy has done pretty well.”

Mr Lyman’s parents were sheep farmers in New Zealand’s Otago region before migrating to Australia and establishing a vineyard in the Barossa Valley.

Infrastructure including Inland Rail, creation of hydrogen and solar renewable energy projects and attracting medium to large manufacturers to Indi will be priorities if elected.

Improving communications infrastructure are among agriculture-specific goals.

Meanwhile, the Liberals have also entered the race for neighbouring seat, Nicholls, following the retirement of the Nationals MP Damian Drum.

Cobram high school teacher Stephen Brooks, who previously worked overseas as a wheat trader for nearly two decades, will be the Liberal candidate.

Stephen Brooks. Picture: Supplied

“I’ve basically worked in agriculture my whole life,” the 38-year-old said.

His father Chris is the Southern Riverina Irrigators chairman and they share the same concerns about water.

“He has no burning political aspirations, but it’s impossible for me to observe what he has experienced in water and not feel that I can do something to benefit the community through a major party I’ve been a member of since I was 15,” Stephen said.

Mr Brooks’ sister Carly was elected to Berrigan Shire in December and became deputy mayor.

The seat of Nicholls formerly known as Murray was held by Liberal Sharman Stone for 20 years before Mr Drum made a successful switch from state politics to win the seat for the Nationals.

Seeking to hold the seat for the Nationals is Shepparton-based Sam Birrell and Greater Shepparton Council deputy mayor and laundry business owner Rob Priestly is standing as an independent.