Next Australian federal election: Marles, Chester, Haines run again

13 of the 14 currently serving federal MPs for Victoria intend to campaign for another stint in Canberra at the next election. See the state of play.

Thirteen of the 14 regional MPs representing southeastern Australia will run again for another term in Canberra, with veteran Russell Broadbent the only retiree.

Most are guaranteed to have their contracts renewed by voters on either side of the political divide with few holding marginal seats.

Mr Broadbent was first elected to federal parliament in the Hawke years, serving three separate stints as a Liberal MP before losing Liberal preselection last year.

His Monash electorate – covering Warragul and Wonthaggi regions – is one of regional Australia’s most marginal at 2.9 per cent.

He was replaced in a preselection ballot by businesswoman Mary Aldred as the new Liberal candidate, with the Labor and National parties yet to confirmed their candidates.

Another marginal seat holder is McEwen Labor MP Rob Mitchell, who indicated he would run again.

Mr Mitchell holds the central Victorian electorate on a 3.3 per cent margin – a constituency that has swung between the red and blue sides for decades.

‘The Albanese government’s number one priority is addressing inflation and cost of living pressures,” the McEwen MP said.

“We know a lot of people are doing it tough and that is why we are delivering $23 billion in targeted relief and will continue to do so.”

Current two-party preferred margins of federal MPs across southeast Australia. Source: Australian Electoral Commission

With a minority government in prospect, Indi MP Helen Haines has potentially the most to gain from a third election win.

The independent MP has confirmed to The Weekly Times she will seek another term, but declined to comment.

Her predecessor, Cathy McGowan, who retired after two terms, has previous experience in minority governments when her guarantee of supply and confidence, in part, ensured the Coalition retained office in 2016.

The National Party last week confirmed preselection of its three existing Victorian representatives — Gippsland MP Darren Chester, Mallee MP Anne Webster and Nicholls MP Sam Birrell.

Darren Chester. Picture: Gary Ramage

Mr Chester is following the well worn path of long-serving MPs in Gippsland with his two predecessors, Peter McGauran and Peter Nixon, the representative for 25 and 22 years respectively.

Mr Chester took over from Mr McGauran in 2008.

“Regional Australia grows world-class food and fibre, and we also grow great kids,” Mr Chester said.

“We need to keep investing in regional education for our youth to achieve their full potential as tradespeople, running their own business or farm, or undertaking tertiary studies.”

Ms Webster will be lining up for her third election after replacing Andrew Broad.

“I’ve been deeply honoured to have represented the people of Mallee since 2019 and grateful that I have once again been preselected to put my hand up at the next election, whenever that will be,” she said.

The fight over water will remain a focus for Mr Birrell, who was the Nationals’ newcomer at the last election when he saw off independent Rob Priestly.

“City-based parties simply don’t understand the impact of policies like water buybacks in the Murray-Darling Basin and we need to return to government before more damage is done,” he said.

Wannon Liberal MP Dan Tehan also plans to run again for the famed Victorian constituency, once held by prime minister Malcolm Fraser.

“I will stand again at the next election,” he said.

“I want to continue delivering on my strong local plan for Wannon. That means better roads and rail, working to ease the cost of living crisis impacting so many families and individuals.”

In neighbouring Corangamite, Labor MP Libby Coker confirmed she too would run again, having pushed the previously marginal seat into safe territory for the government.

“For people from the Golden Plains to the Bellarine, and the Surf Coast to Greater Geelong, this will be a crucial year for our local economy,” she said.

“We need to put a focus on boosting local manufacturing through the National Reconstruction Fund to create new job pathways for people throughout our community.”

Ballarat Labor MP Catherine King indicated she would also stand at the forthcoming federal election, clocking up more than two decades in Canberra.

“It is an honour and privilege to represent the people of Ballarat in our parliament and I will absolutely be standing as a candidate in the next election.

“I look forward to implementing our tax cuts on July 1, which will see every single taxpayer in my electorate receive a tax cut.”

Like Ms King, Bendigo Labor MP Lisa Chesters holds her central Victorian constituency on a double-digit margin for the Albanese government.

“Yes (I will stand again),” she said. “I’m really proud to be the Federal Member for Bendigo and there’s still so much work to do.”

North of the border, Liberal MP Sussan Ley is gearing up for her ninth election since 2001.

Ms Ley, if successful at a 2025 poll, will draw to within two years of being the electorate’s longest-serving member with fellow Liberal MP David Fairbairn occupying the seat for 26 years from 1949.

“I wake up every morning ready to work hard for every one of the people in this electorate,” Ms Ley said.

“Whether this is challenging the Albanese government on their inability to manage cost of living or the disastrous plan to remove more water from the farmers who grow our local economy.”

Former National Party leader Michael McCormack intends to seek another term as Riverina MP despite not being officially preselected yet.