Independent in it to win it

POLITICS was never in the plan for James Laurie, but now the Eaglehawk man is running for the Federal electorate of Bendigo as an independent.

Mr Laurie joined the pool of candidates just two weeks ago with the help of supporters of the unregistered Australia One party.

He said he is also a supporter of the party but is not a member and is not controlled by them.

“I believe in most of their values, not all, but most,” he said.

Among the far right party’s policies listed on their website is repealing section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act, which Mr Laurie said he supports.

He said he hasn’t been happy with politicians over the years, particularly regarding the Victorian Government’s COVID-19 restrictions and on a Federal level sending “money overseas… before we help our own people.”

“Our voices aren’t heard, I don’t believe. Me running as an independent is the only way I can get the Bendigo people and surrounding districts heard,” he said.

“I never wanted to go into politics, I never had any aspirations to do it at all but it’s more like if I don’t do it, who’s going to do it?”

Despite COVID-19 regulations like vaccine mandates being set at a state level, Mr Laurie said a Federal member is “supposed to be a voice for the people”.

He said his top priority is keeping families together by lowering the cost of living and wants Australian made products “across the board”.

“I’m for Australia, I want Australian made products when we can make them. I don’t see why we should import things from overseas when we can do them ourselves. We should be self-sufficient, we’re one of the greatest countries in the world,” he said.

“I don’t see why farmers should have to compete with imports coming in when their fruit is dropping on the ground and going to waste.”

Other focuses listed on Mr Laurie’s website include social cohesion, economic power, small business support, military power, freedom of choice and political freedom.

Mr Laurie said he’s lived in Bendigo for 20 years working in various industries including security and truck driving.

“I’m a bit of an underdog but I’m going to give it a good fight and I’m here to win,” he said.