Victorian Election: Nationals endorse Martin Cameron as candidate for Morwell

The Nationals have selected their candidate for the ultra marginal seat of Morwell, currently held by Russell Northe.

The Nationals have selected a former football premiership teammate of Russell Northe as its candidate for the ultra marginal seat of Morwell for November’s Victorian election.

Traralgon plumber Martin Cameron, who played alongside Northe for Traralgon, emerged victorious from a three-way preselection battle at the weekend.

Northe won Morwell from Labor in 2006 and retained the seat four years later with the biggest swing to the Coalition in the state.

He was promoted to ministerial roles before the Coalition lost office in 2014 and three years later resigned from the Nationals due to financial and mental health issues.

Morwell MP Russell Northe. Picture: David Geraghty

Northe narrowly retained the seat as an independent in 2018 and it’s unclear whether he will stand again.

Cameron, 53, said he would have no concerns if he had to go up against Northe.

“If he is going to run, so be it,” he said.

“I don’t have any concerns as I’m sure he wouldn’t have any concerns about me.

“I wish him well.”

Cameron works in the family’s 50-year-old plumbing business and is coaching Traralgon reserves this season.

Martin Cameron pictured in 2015. He is a seven time premiership player for Traralgon. Picture: Colleen Petch.

He said politics had been on his radar, but the timing had not been right until now.

“I don’t jump into anything unless I can dedicate time to the role that it needs,” he said.

“I’ve come to politics late, but I’ve got a passion to help out the community.

“There is a feeling around here that we are the forgotten part of Victoria from the Labor government.

“You can bitch about it, sook about it and question what they’re doing or you can get in and have a go,”

“So I’m jumping in and having a go.”

He said worker shortages and cost of living pressures were huge in the Latrobe Valley.

“Running a business down here we just cannot get workers,” he said.

“I’ve got mates who’ve been in the plumbing game for 20 plus years, but they’re shutting their doors because they can’t get the staff to do it.”

Gippsland South Nationals MP Danny O’Brien said Cameron would prove to be an excellent choice of candidate.

“I’ve known Martin and his family since I was a kid and he’s a down-to-earth local champion who will be a passionate advocate for the valley,” he said.

“As a local plumber who has run the family business for two decades, he serves clients right across the Latrobe Valley and hears daily of the issues that are affecting them, like access to health care and the rising cost of living.

“His football service as a player and club president demonstrates his commitment to community and has given him contacts and profile right across the region.”