Marchant selected as Neville’s successor in Bellarine

LABOR staffer Alison Marchant has been selected by the party to run as its candidate for Bellarine at the coming state election in November, replacing long-time incumbent Lisa Neville, who announced her retirement in June.

At the 2018 poll, Ms Neville secured a 14.6 per cent margin over the Coalition on a two-party preferred result, making it an extremely safe Labor seat for Ms Marchant’s candidacy.

A former teacher, Ms Marchant has spent the last four years working as an electorate officer for the party, including with the now deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles – Ms Neville’s former husband.

Ms Marchant’s profile in the community rose considerably when she became a prominent campaigner against coal seam gas with Frack Free Moriac, her work on the issue leading to her being jointly named as the 2017 Surf Coast Shire Citizen of the Year.

In the same year she was unsuccessful in the Labor pre-selection race for the seat of South Barwon, losing to Darrren Cheeseman who went on to win against then Liberal incumbent Andrew Katos, who will attempt to wrestle the seat back for the party later this year.

Ms Marchant’s elevation to Labor candidate for Bellarine fulfils a departing wish from Ms Neville that a female be chosen as her successor.

The Liberal Party has named Queenscliff restaurant owner and local councillor Donnie Grigau as its candidate for the seat.