FRESHLY minted Liberal Party candidate for the seat of Ballarat at the upcoming Federal election, Ben Green, has said his stocks are rising.<\/p>\n
Even though the current gap between his party and sitting Labor member Catherine King is about 10 per cent on a two-party preferred basis, Mr Green believes unseating the incumbent is not out of the question.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think my chances are improving,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s a bit like picking a Melbourne Cup, sometimes the favourite doesn\u2019t get up.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy odds are higher than the incumbent, but I wouldn\u2019t put myself out. I\u2019m in it to win it.\u201d<\/p>\n
While relatively unknown to many in the area before his candidacy was announced a few weeks ago, Mr Green has backed his connection to the electorate.<\/p>\n
With links to Talbot and Camperdown, which are in the Federal seats of Mallee and Wannon respectively, the Melbourne based lawyer also pointed to his ongoing ties to the city.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know Ballarat well,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve lived and worked in the district for many many years.<\/p>\n
\u201cI lived in Sebastopol for awhile\u2026 and I\u2019ve practiced law at one of the older firms here for a long time.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhilst there might be [a perception of a] lack of familiarity, I disagree with that. I\u2019m not a household name, but my ties are genuine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even if he\u2019s unsuccessful this time round, Mr Green said he\u2019s not one and done and would seek preselection next time Ballarat voters are called to the polls.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I don\u2019t win, I\u2019ll be running again,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s my absolute intention. This is a genuine commitment.\u201d<\/p>\n
How he might close the gap on Labor incumbent Ms King, the Coalition candidate was placing a focus on a mix of national and local issues.<\/p>\n
That focus includes a changed electorate that now runs north\/south and takes in much of Golden Plains Shire as well as Hepburn Shire.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne [issue] that\u2019s facing us all in the face is the cost of living, here, and everywhere,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m also vitally interested in the proposed AusNet powerlines.<\/p>\n
\u201cI see infrastructure, education and health as other major issues.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
FRESHLY minted Liberal Party candidate for the seat of Ballarat at the upcoming Federal election, Ben Green, has said his stocks are rising. Even though the current gap between his party and sitting Labor member Catherine King is about 10 per cent on a two-party preferred basis, Mr Green believes unseating the incumbent is not […]<\/p>\n