I want to bring Geelong’s voice back, Liberal candidate says

Geelong has lost its political voice, Andy Pobjoy says, and he wants to be the person to bring it back.

The Piano Bar Geelong owner was confirmed on Tuesday as the Liberal candidate for the seat of Geelong at November’s state election.

Pobjoy said his interest in politics was sparked during the Covid-19 lockdowns.

“That’s when we really got to see what happens when governments start taking the wrong direction on things, and now we’ve just seen it all,” he said.

“Geelong has been a Labor-held seat since the 1990s.

“When Geelong becomes a safe seat, this is what happens. We end up with all of these problems – small businesses with their backs against the wall, we end up with bus stops that look like they do, we end up with the crime crisis, we end up with housing in Geelong that is less affordable than what it is in the outskirts of Melbourne.

“It’s really time to get some fresh perspective and get Geelong’s voice back.”

Pobjoy said the impending closure of the Piano Bar, which will host its final performance this weekend, reflected the pressure facing Victorian businesses.

“We can’t make the math math any more,” he said.

“People just aren’t spending what they used to and it’s particularly bad in Victoria.

“There’s other parts of the country that are having a hard time, but if you go to Queensland or you go to Adelaide, it’s full because it’s just better out there.”

There are fewer than 150 days until the election. Labor’s Christine Couzens comfortably retained the seat of Geelong in 2022, but Pobjoy believes voters are ready for change.

“The appetite for change is very different to what it was four years ago,” he said. “The mood in the electorate is completely different.

“We have a really good leader in Jess Wilson and she has the vision and the passion and the drive to actually make the changes that matter.”

His campaign will focus on cost-of-living relief, community safety, health care and housing affordability.

“Since when did a house in Norlane become half a million dollars? How does it double in price in 10 years?” Pobjoy said.

“It’s because that’s the only place that people can afford to buy now.

“It’s a depressing picture, but with the right policy settings, we can fix this.”

The Liberals are yet to announce candidates for the neighbouring seats of Lara, Bellarine and South Barwon, but Pobjoy said he looked forward to campaigning alongside them.

“South Barwon’s absolutely going to turn blue. There’s no doubt,” he said.

“It’s a disgrace what’s been happening over in South Barwon with [incumbent MP Darren] Cheeseman. Imagine living down there and not having any representative at all. He just doesn’t answer the phone.”