By ANEEKA SIMONIS
ALP candidate Chris Buckingham says the most important election outcome for McMillan is to turn it from a safe Liberal seat into a marginal one.
He said he senses “things are going to be close” between himself and the veteran incumbent MP but that taking the seat from Russell Broadbent’s 10-year hold isn’t his endgame.
“The most important thing to come from the election is that McMillan becomes a marginal seat.
“I think we all know once a seat is marginal is gets more attention so I’d hope for that so the electorate is properly supported and there is a sense of contest,” he said.
“If that happens, I would have done my community service. But if I become the sitting member, I won’t be doing much sitting.”
His thoughts were echoed by McMillan voter Glenn Sullivan.
“The major parties just don’t care about us – especially those of us in the far corners of the electorate.
“The 11.8 per cent swing needed to unseat Broadbent makes us a very safe seat for the Libs,” he said.
“Given the recent pork barrelling of the major parties, the only way for us to get attention and funding is to make the electorate marginal.”
The neighbouring marginal seat of La Trobe, which is held by Liberal Jason Wood, has been a funding promise hotspot for the Coalition which has said it will spend millions of dollars on infrastructure projects if it is re-elected, including upgrades to Puffing Billy as part of a $20 million tourism package for the Dandenong Ranges.
The Gazette contacted Mr Broadbent to gauge his confidence going into the election but he did not respond before deadline.
