Stoke puts Family First

By Melissa Meehan
LEONGATHA’S Linden Stoke has been selected as the Family First candidate for the seat of McMillan.
Mr Stoke was accompanied by party leader Senator Steve Fielding as the two toured the seat on Wednesday.
Speaking at Cardinia Waters, Senator Fielding said he was proud to have Mr Stoke on board to help give families a voice in Federal Parliament.
“It’s important to get real people in to run for parliament,” Mr Fielding said.
A Leongatha resident for the past 15 years, Mr Stoke said people living in rural and regional Victoria were sick and tired of being “ripped off by city-centric governments”.
“I know from living in the area that we don’t get the same kind of treatment as those in the city and I think that’s something that needs to change,” Mr Stoke said.
The father of three, who has never taken part in politics before, said housing affordability was a major issue for many young families.
“The government should be doing more to help out in this area,” he said.
“Owning your own home is still the great Australian dream and we need to keep that dream alive for thousands of families.”