Victorian election 2022: James Purcell runs for South West Coast

He was a crossbench kingmaker on Spring Street for four years. Now James Purcell is on a political comeback tour.

Former upper house kingmaker James Purcell is attempting a Spring Street comeback — but this time in the lower house.

The former Moyne Shire mayor made an eleventh hour nomination for South West Coast today, set to take on Liberal MP Roma Britnell.

Mr Purcell was a key vote during the Andrews Government’s first term, holding an upper house seat for the Western Victoria region.

South West Coast independent candidate James Purcell. Picture: ANDY ROGERS

He told The Weekly Times that 2022 was set to be “the year of the independent,” following the teal wave at the federal election.

“Quite a few people in the community encouraged me to give it a go,” Mr Purcell said.

“I worked along (Shepparton MP) Suzanna Sheed during my term in Parliament and saw first-hand the impressive gains she has made for Shepparton. There’s also the example of Mildura (with independent MP Ali Cupper).

“Clearly, there’s an appetite for rural independents. When you have a Labor government in power and a Liberal MP locally, the government just ignores that area.

“During my time in parliament, I secured a number of wins in terms of funding for southwest Victoria and this is an opportunity to give it another go.”

Mr Purcell first stood as an independent candidate for South West Coast against then Liberal MP Denis Napthine, securing 11.5 per cent of the primary vote.

He also stood a second time against Ms Britnell at the 2018 poll, boosting his primary to 16.5 per cent.

At today’s ballot draw, he topped the ticket in a crowded field which also includes former Warrnambool mayor Kylie Gaston, running as the Labor candidate, and fellow independent Carol Altmann.