Candidates from 10 parties across the political spectrum will face off for the seat of Bendigo – an electorate including part of the Macedon Ranges.
It covers an area of 6178 square kilometres, with some of the Macedon Ranges towns within its borders including Kyneton, Malmsbury, Tylden, and Carlsruhe.
The seat is currently held by Labor MP Lisa Chesters, who has maintained it since 2013.
Ms Chesters said it is an honour to be the federal member for Bendigo.
“This election represents a clear choice: Labor’s plan to keep building or Peter Dutton’s promise to cut everything,” Ms Chesters said.
“Labor is committed to helping with the cost of living, offering better access to affordable healthcare and medicines, permanent tax cuts for every taxpayer, more energy bill relief for households and small businesses as well as relief for those who have student debt,” she said.
In the upcoming May 3 election, Ms Chesters will defend the seat against Liberal candidate Matt Evans, along with the eight other candidates who have thrown their hats in the ring.
These are Family First candidate Evelyn Keetelaar, Greens candidate Avery Barnett-Dacey, One Nation candidate Heather Freeman, National Party candidate Andrew Lethlean, Libertarian candidate Matt Bansemer, Victorian Socialists candidate Rohan Tyler, independent candidate David Vincent, and Legalise Cannabis candidate Wayne Taylor.
Ms Keetelaar said she is “a long-term resident dedicated to restoring core family values and democratic rights in our community.”
“Guided by my Judeo-Christian principles, I stand for protecting life, upholding parental authority, and ensuring women’s spaces and definitions are respected in law. I am passionate about reforming the national curriculum to focus on essential learning and removing radical ideologies, as well as tackling the cost of living and housing challenges facing local families,” Ms Keetelaar said.
Mr Taylor said the federal government was “holding regional Victoria back with its impact on industrial hemp farming”.
“The Legalise Cannabis Party introduced an Industrial Hemp Bill in 2024 calling for an easier pathway to establish a thriving industry. Further efforts are ongoing to lobby the federal government, and this is my priority,” he said.
Six of the remaining other candidates did not respond before the deadline.
The contact details of one of the candidates could not be located online.
