Liberals name recruitment app chief as challenger to King

THE Liberal Party has announced businesswoman Paula Doran as its candidate for Ballarat in this year’s Federal election.

Ms Doran, who lives in Ballarat with her youngest daughter, has a background in media, policy development and agricultural advocacy.

She grew up in Colac and in 2021 founded the Rockt seasonal worker recruitment app, which she still runs.

“It’s time for fresh perspective. It’s time for change,” Ms Doran said.

“The electorate deserves so much more than it has received from the current member.

“Ballarat simply cannot afford three more years of Labor, and the only way to get the country back on track is with a Coalition government that has a plan to lower the cost of living, deliver cheaper energy, more affordable homes and safer communities.”

Catherine King has held the seat for the Australian Labor Party since 2001, and comfortably saw off the Liberal challenge from Ben Green in 2022 although both major parties suffered swings against them.

If elected, Ms Doran pledges to work closely with Ballarat’s community and its leaders to embrace the opportunity she said she has seen here.

“I’ve thought really deeply about what I can offer this electorate as a candidate and as a representative,” she said.

“I have observed so much opportunity that we should be working towards.

“As a solo parent who has run my own business and worked multiple jobs at times to make ends meet, I understand the challenges faced because of the Labor Government budget debacles.

“Our region could and should be a national leader in a quality of life only available in a large regional centre; our towns should be thriving.

“As someone who has spent their career working alongside farmers, business owners, and families in regional areas, I know the potential that exists here – and I want to make sure Ballarat and surrounding areas get their fair share.”

Ms King had her own statement to make on the Liberal candidate, saying that now is not the time to trust the party “who couldn’t deliver one single budget surplus in their decade in government.”

“[Paula] is not someone that I have met, or come across locally, but I commend her for putting her hand up to run for Parliament,” she said.

“Our government has spent the last two-and-a-half years cleaning up the mess and chaos of the last coalition government.

“Regardless of who is running in the 2025 election, I’ll keep working every day for the people of Ballarat to deliver cost of living relief, strengthen Medicare, make housing and childcare more affordable and make free TAFE permanent.

“I know that these are the things that really matter to people in our community.”