Federal election: Publican Andrew Lethlean taking on Labor’s Lisa Chesters in Bendigo

The Nationals have made Bendigo their target seat at the federal election and have a publican and former footy player in the race.

Bendigo has become the National Party’s target seat in Victoria at the expense of other regional electorates Indi and Monash at the upcoming federal election.

The central Victorian electorate is safe Labor territory with incumbent Lisa Chesters holding the seat on a margin of 11.2 per cent.

But political experts agree that a concerted push behind the Nationals candidate, publican Andrew Lethlean, is underway with the junior Coalition partner attempting to seize on an anti-Labor sentiment in Victoria.

Nationals federal leader David Littleproud visited Bendigo last Friday to support Mr Lethlean’s plan to combat crime, with Senators Bridget McKenzie and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price also recent visitors.

Redbridge Group director Kos Samaras. Picture NCA NewsWire / Aaron Francis

Bendigo isn’t one of 20 seats nationally being tracked by pollsters Redbridge, but director Kos Samaras said the Nationals were giving it the “full bench press” treatment.

He cited the 2010 Bendigo West state election battle when Nationals candidate Steven Oliver went close to unseating Labor’s Maree Edwards as an example of the Nationals’ capabilities.

“What we do know historically that whenever the Labor branch struggles in Victoria, the Nats are probably a better option in capturing Labor votes than the Libs are,” Mr Samaras said.

“(2010) was probably the last time the Labor primary was fairly unpopular in regional Victoria.

“From the Labor side of things you would be quietly nervous about why the Nats are throwing so much money at it.”

Bendigo Nationals candidate Andrew Lethlean.

Monash University political expert Zareh Ghazarian said the Nationals were the underdog in Bendigo, but agreed an anti-Labor sentiment could be at play.

“Labor looks to be losing momentum and seemingly unable to reverse the trend in the opinion polls,” he said.

“It could be that the Nationals are trying to ride on that momentum and give their candidate that platform they might otherwise not have.

“If they aren’t contesting other seats then it suggests there are resources to free up.

“It could become a danger seat.”

Lisa Chesters has been the Bendigo MP since 2013. Picture: Supplied

The Liberals have Bendigo councillor Matt Evans also in the race.

Mr Lethlean, 55, was preselected unopposed midway through last year after being in pubs, restaurants, cafes and nightclubs for almost 30 years in Bendigo.

He is also a dual premiership footballer for Golden Square.

“We are coming from a long way behind,” he said.

“But this is a pretty key seat for the Nationals.

“The Libs will focus on the city and we will focus on the country.”

The Nationals have failed to make inroads against Indi independent Helen Haines at the last two elections and Liberal Mary Aldred will carry the Coalition’s chances in Monash after beating Russell Broadbent at a preselection battle last year.