Thursday, 15 May 2025

Federal election

Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (09:41): May I also take the opportunity to congratulate my federal Nationals colleagues Anne Webster, Sam Birrell and my friend Darren Chester on returning some of the highest margins in the nation; and Andrew Lethlean, our Nationals Bendigo candidate, a businessman, a family man and a community champion, who achieved an extraordinary outcome – he won a 10 per cent swing away from Labor, the largest swing in the entire country. This was a mighty effort to take Labor down to the wire in a key seat, and it sends a clear message to the Premier Jacinta Allan in her own backyard. I credit Andrew with amazing hard work. I also make comment to my dear colleague Gaelle Broad and our amazing team in head office – our state director Lyndel, Adam, Bart and the huge team of volunteers behind. Make no mistake, we are empowered by this result and will continue to focus on Bendigo as the state election looms next year.