By Shelby Brooks
Narracan independent candidate Ben Lucas has quit the election race and thrown his support behind the Liberals, claiming he doesn’t need to be the area’s “saviour” anymore.
In a seven-minute video posted to Facebook on Tuesday 4 October, Mr Lucas shared his decision to step down from running in the upcoming State Election.
He said the $675 million Labor pledge to build a new West Gippsland Hospital, matching the previous Liberal announcement, “changes the game completely for me”.
“I’m not going to be running, I’m out, I’m done,” he said.
“Regardless of who wins, we’re getting a new hospital so I don’t feel the need to run.
“I think some people have thought that during this journey it has been about me personally, but it never has been.
“It’s been about the community and getting good community outcomes.”
Mr Lucas said he had never had a “burning desire” to become a state politician but felt he had no choice but to stand up for what his community needed.
“I could see what a lot of other people couldn’t and that was really frustrating and getting to me,” he said.
“The fact that both parties have agreed and committed to build a West Gippsland hospital puts me so much more at ease.
“I don’t need to be this area’s saviour, there are plenty of people doing good stuff.”
He went on to say he had spoken with Liberal Narracan candidate Wayne Farnham.
“I’m a Liberal, I’m an ex-Liberal Party member,” Mr Lucas admitted.
To accompany the video, Mr Lucas wrote: “I fully endorse Wayne Farnham and look forward to working with him or whoever wins the seat of Narracan in the future.”
In the video, Mr Lucas said his true passion for helping the community was at a council level.
Mr Lucas served for six months as a West Ward councillor with Baw Baw Shire in 2020 and 2021 before resigning after he was charged with traffic offences. When he faced court, Mr Lucas pleaded guilty to two charges of dangerous driving and drink driving.
“I’m a West Ward councillor. Local issues for local people – sporting, recreation, roads, rates, rubbish – that’s my bread basket,” he said.
“If Keith Cook hadn’t gone back [as councillor of West Ward] I would have been more than happy to drop this election stuff and go back to council.
“I’m in the bad books there at the moment I think but sometimes you’ve just got to speak your truth.”
He didn’t rule out one day running for the council again.
“One day I might be back there, or I might not be,” he said.
“If I do run for council, next time you’ll only know a month out, I won’t be putting too much time and effort into campaigns anymore. They make me sick.”
Mr Lucas acknowledged negativity from critics had affected him personally during his run.
“To everyone who gave me support, many thanks I love you,” he said.
“To those who didn’t – whatever – so many choice words for you. Some people should have their phones taken off them.
“I’m a changed person from two years ago. I don’t need that s*** anymore.”
