Greens lock in Geelong challenger

The Greens have endorsed climate campaigner Emilie Flynn to contest the seat of Geelong at the November state election.

Her campaign will focus on housing pressures, public transport and opposition to gas infrastructure proposed for Corio Bay.

Flynn narrowly missed a place on the City of Greater Geelong council in 2024, finishing within two percentage points of current mayor Stretch Kontelj, and last year ran in the federal seat of Corio, receiving a 15.9 per cent primary vote.

Flynn said rapid population growth meant the region needed to rethink how it planned housing and infrastructure.

“Geelong is the fastest growing city in Australia,” she said.

“It’s important for us to usher in this growth with a mindset of building housing and infrastructure sustainably and inclusively, without losing our sense of identity in the process.”

She has also made opposition to the proposed floating gas import terminals in Corio Bay a central plank of her campaign.

Two separate projects are under consideration, one proposed by Viva Energy and another by Vopak.

Viva Energy’s $250 million floating gas terminal received state government approval in May, but the project was placed on hold late last year while the company reconsiders its final investment decision.

Meanwhile, Vopak is continuing field surveys and investigations to determine the most feasible route for the underground transmission connection and infrastructure for its floating gas terminal project. An environmental effects statement is expected to go on public exhibition this year.

“The proposed floating gas terminals in Corio Bay scream disaster for the climate crisis and the local community,” Flynn said.

“The community has said time and again that these projects are not welcome here – it’s high time these voices were heard.”

She said she would work closely with the Greens’ Western Victoria upper house MP, Dr Sarah Mansfield, to elevate local concerns in parliament, while backing the party’s campaign to prevent VicHealth being absorbed into the Department of Health.

Dr Mansfield welcomed Flynn’s preselection.

“I’m so excited for Emilie to be our Greens candidate for Geelong this state election,” she said. “Emilie will be a champion for local issues like housing and climate, and a strong representative for her community.

“As a movement, the Greens are all about prevention. For decades we’ve fought to prevent climate change,” Dr Mansfield said.

“It’s the same with our campaign to save VicHealth – our world-class health promotion entity that Labor wants to abolish.

“Keeping people healthy and out of hospital should be a top priority – which is why we won’t give up fighting for VicHealth.”

The Geelong seat has been held by Labor MP Christine Couzens since 2014. In the 2022 state poll, Couzens increased her margin by 4.5 per cent to 14.7 per cent.