Helen Haines named as Indi candidate, Cathy McGowan to retire

WANGARATTA health researcher Helen Haines has been named as independent MP Cathy McGowan’s successor as the Voices for Indi movement grapples with the latter’s retirement.

Voices for Indi candidate Helen Haines. Picture: Aaron Francis

WANGARATTA health researcher Helen Haines has been named as independent MP Cathy McGowan’s successor as the Voices for Indi movement grapples with the latter’s retirement.

Ms McGowan this week announced she would retire as the representative for the North East Victorian seat at this year’s federal election, only days after her support base chose her replacement.

About 200 members of the Voices for Indi group met in Benalla on Saturday to pick Dr Haines over the Indi MP’s sister, Beechworth lawyer Helen McGowan, as well as Euroa teacher Angela Tough.

A fourth unidentified candidate withdrew late last week.

The Indi MP said the time was right to hand over the reins with the selection of the midwife and researcher as her movement’s flag-bearer.

“Helen Haines is an excellent candidate and she’s ready to go,” Ms McGowan said.

“Helen’s a nurse and a midwife. She’s an acknowledged leader in the community. There is huge respect for her integrity, ethics and values.”

Voices for Indi spokeswoman Alana Johnson defended the movement from criticism over its refusal to register itself as a political party. She noted the tax deductibility status of political parties gave the major players a head start but added the independent brand was attractive to voters.

Wodonga project manager Steve Martin won Liberal preselection for Indi last year while former Wodonga councillor Eric Kerr has been selected as the Indi Labor candidate.

The National Party is yet to determine their Indi representative with Senator Bridget McKenzie refusing to rule out a switch from the upper house to the nation’s lower chamber.

Meanwhile in the Mallee electorate, the final candidate forums for National Party preselection will take place tonight and tomorrow. Six contenders — Toby Heil, Bernadette Hogan, Daniel Linklater, Paul Matheson, Shane McGrath and Anne Webster — have nominated for the coveted role with the preselection ballot to be held in Birchip on Saturday.