It’s on: election called for May 18

THE starting gun has finally been fired for the 2019 federal election, with voters to go to the polls on May 18.

In the electorate of Corangamite, incumbent Liberal MP Sarah Henderson has an extremely tough task ahead of her, with the redrawing of boundaries reducing the notional margin to 0.03 per cent, which equates to less than 40 votes.

“Corangamite residents have a clear choice – to vote for a government which is building a strong economy, fixing the Budget and delivering a surplus and a government which is delivering record jobs growth, lower taxes and record funding for roads and rail infrastructure, schools and hospitals,” Ms Henderson said.

“Or they can vote for Labor and Bill Shorten who will weaken the economy, hit Australians with more than $200 billion of new taxes and turn their back on regional Australia.

“Locally, this federal election is about delivering and about integrity.”

Ms Henderson will again be facing Labor candidate Libby Coker, who ran for the seat in 2013.

“This election is a choice between a fair go for Australia with Labor, or more cuts and chaos with the Liberals,” Ms Coker said.

“The difference between the Liberals and Labor is clear: we’re for more renewables, more jobs and cheaper power; the Liberals are for expensive new coal and more uncertainty.

“I have been talking to voters across Corangamite for the last year, and I look forward to continuing travelling around the electorate, hitting the streets over the coming weeks.”

Other candidates who have so far declared they will stand in Corangamite include Damien Cole (independent), Simon Northeast (Greens) and Neil Harvey (United Australia Party).

In the neighbouring seat of Corio, incumbent Labor federal member Richard Marles is sitting on a very safe margin of eight per cent. The Liberals have yet to name a candidate.

To stand as a candidate, nominations must be made by noon on April 23.

For more information, head to aec.gov.au.