Third contender joins South Barwon election battle

The fight for the seat of South Barwon is now officially a three-way contest, with the Greens this month selecting Izzy Scherrer to stand at November’s state election.

Scherrer, who lives in Geelong, is a teacher, women’s health advocate and community organiser.

According to her profile on the Greens website, she believes communities deserve leadership that listens, connects and delivers practical outcomes that improve people’s everyday lives.

“Through my work across women’s health, education and community development, I’ve seen firsthand the pressures people are facing and how government decisions can either support communities or leave people behind,” she said.

“I’m passionate about creating a future where housing is affordable, public transport is reliable, public education is properly funded and climate action is meaningful and achievable.

“I believe politics should be grounded in community, informed by evidence and focused on building a fairer, more connected and more sustainable future for everyone.”

Scherrer has already begun making her pitch for the electorate, meeting with renters alongside Greens Member for Western Victoria Sarah Mansfield on Friday last week to discuss their concerns.

The Greens’ policy to address the issue includes closing loopholes in state law such as introducing a guaranteed right of return after renovations, establishing an independent regulator to oversee landlords and real estate agents, and introduce rent controls to stop excessive increases.

Scherrer ran for the seat of Deakin as the Greens candidate at the 2024 City of Greater Geelong council election and finished second to Andrew Katos with nearly 46 per cent of the two-party preferred vote.

She joins Labor candidate Rebecca Thistleton and Socialist Alliance candidate Freya Hedley in contesting South Barwon.

The Liberals have yet to preselect their candidate for the seat but City of Greater Geelong councillor Ron Nelson is among those in contention.

The electorate is presently occupied by Darren Cheeseman, who was forced to resign from Labor by Premier Jacinta Allan from Labor in April 2024 following multiple allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards female staff. Cheeseman continues to sit in state Parliament as an independent member.

Nominations for the Victorian election officially open on 3 November and close at noon on 9 November ahead of election day on 28 November.

For more information, head to vec.vic.gov.au