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Kate Lockhart<\/strong> Occupation:<\/strong> Agricultural scientist<\/p>\n Resides:<\/strong> Drysdale.<\/p>\n How long have you lived in your electorate?<\/strong> We have called the Bellarine home for nearly 20 years.<\/p>\n What\u2019s your involvement with the community?\u00a0<\/strong> I am absolutely dedicated to our community, contributing my time, energy and skills across environment and farming, education, and sport, including: Who are you preferencing? <\/strong>As a Community Independent, running on Integrity, Equity and Climate Action, I am not involved in party preference deals. What is your campaign budget? Are you receiving financial assistance? <\/strong>Our community donations from locals are close to $20,000 – with no single donor contributing more than $1,000. For you, what are the three most important issues in your electorate? <\/strong>1) Listening to the community and taking action on cost-of-living pressures; improving access to affordable housing and reducing energy bills by supporting household electrification. James Jackson<\/strong> Occupation:<\/strong> Telecommunications Supervisor \/ Veteran \/ Federal Candidate \u2013 Trumpet of Patriots<\/p>\n Resides:<\/strong> Gherang, VIC<\/p>\n How long have you lived in your electorate?<\/strong> I\u2019m 44 years old. I was born in Geelong, lived in Drysdale growing up, and have spent the past 35 years living in Gherang.<\/p>\n What\u2019s your involvement with the community?<\/strong> I served our nation in four overseas deployments as an Australian Army serviceman. Since then, I\u2019ve worked in infrastructure across regional Victoria, supporting local workers, mentoring young tradespeople, and advocating for veterans. I attend local forums, listen to residents, and campaign for fairer treatment of everyday Australians.<\/p>\n Are you associated with or have you been associated with a political party or movement?<\/strong> Yes, I\u2019m the endorsed federal candidate for the Trumpet of Patriots.<\/p>\n Who are you preferencing?<\/strong> We encourage Australians to vote with their conscience, but we\u2019ll preference candidates who put Australian values, sovereignty, and cost-of-living relief first.<\/p>\n What is your campaign budget? Are you receiving financial assistance?<\/strong> This is a grassroots campaign. I\u2019ve received modest support from Trumpet of Patriots at the federal level, but no taxpayer funds. Most of my campaign is driven by volunteers and community support.<\/p>\n For you, what are the three most important issues in your electorate?<\/strong> Cost of Living \u2013 Locals are struggling. We\u2019ll restore affordable energy and reduce wasteful spending. Paul Barker<\/strong> Occupation:<\/strong> Truck driver<\/p>\n Resides:<\/strong> Torquay<\/p>\n How long have you lived in your electorate?<\/strong> 9 years<\/p>\n What\u2019s your involvement with the community?<\/strong> Play basketball, netball, cycle, part of the Torquay RSL, currently serving as a Surf Coast Shire Councillor consistently opposing rate increases and restrictions on liberty, engage with community groups when time allows<\/p>\n Are you associated with or have you been associated with a political party or movement?<\/strong> Yes, Libertarians<\/p>\n Who are you preferencing?<\/strong> That’s being negotiated at a national level.<\/p>\n What is your campaign budget? Are you receiving financial assistance?<\/strong> A bit of $10,000 from multiple donors. Always looking for more from those who want to spread the message of liberty further.<\/p>\n For you, what are the three most important issues in your electorate?<\/strong> Cost of living (cost of government), education and tax. We address these in our policy, A Libertarian Vision.<\/p>\n Mitch Pope<\/strong> Occupation:<\/strong> Environmental campaigner and eco-tour guide<\/p>\n Resides:<\/strong> Ocean Grove<\/p>\n How long have you lived in your electorate?<\/strong> 12 years, since my early teens.<\/p>\n What\u2019s your involvement with the community?<\/strong> I\u2019ve been involved with the community through a number of different ways. When I was young it was playing footy with the Collendina Cobras, I have been doing photography and videography in the community since a young age, I was the president of the 13th Beach Board riders club in 2020\/2021 and more recently I have been campaigning with the community to stop seismic blasting to protect our ocean and coastline.<\/p>\n Are you associated with or have you been associated with a political party or movement?<\/strong> I am a candidate of The Greens.<\/p>\n Who are you preferencing?<\/strong> I’m encouraging people to Vote 1 Mitch Pope Greens, and then preference Labor anywhere above the Liberals to keep Dutton out.<\/p>\n What is your campaign budget? Are you receiving financial assistance?<\/strong> My campaign budget is roughly $5000, funded by donations to our local Corangamite campaign.<\/p>\n For you, what are the three most important issues in your electorate?<\/strong> The most important issues in the electorate are the climate and environmental crises, the housing crisis and rising cost of living. The Greens have a bold plan to address all three crises, by making the billionaires and big corporations pay their fair share of tax to fund the climate action and cost of living support we need which include ending native forest logging, stopping new coal and gas, electrifying homes with cheap & clean energy, putting dental into Medicare, making childcare and public schooling completely free and building more public and affordable housing.<\/p>\n Colin Seabrook<\/strong> Candidate did not respond by deadline<\/em><\/p>\n Libby Coker<\/strong> Occupation:<\/strong> Member of Parliament for Corangamite since 2019. Formerly a school teacher, businessowner and journalist.<\/p>\n Resides:<\/strong> Aireys Inlet<\/p>\n How long have you lived in your electorate?<\/strong> I\u2019ve lived locally for about 35 years.<\/p>\n What\u2019s your involvement with the community?<\/strong> I\u2019ve been involved with community and sporting groups, including as a parent, a member of parliament and a former Surf Coast Shire mayor and councillor.<\/p>\n Are you associated with or have you been associated with a political party or movement?<\/strong> Australian Labor Party.<\/p>\n Who are you preferencing?<\/strong> My how-to-vote card is currently available.<\/p>\n What is your campaign budget? Are you receiving financial assistance?<\/strong> Campaigning is a necessary part of the election process, and campaign funding will be fully declared at the required time in accordance with requirements under the Electoral Act.<\/p>\n For you, what are the three most important issues in your electorate?<\/strong> Every day, I\u2019m talking to people across my electorate to hear what matters to them. It\u2019s these conversations that shape our shared priorities for this region \u2013 investing in health, education, roads and rail, and importantly, cost of living relief for you and your family. Harley Mackenzie<\/strong> Occupation:<\/strong> Managing Director of HARD software, a local business supporting renewable energy.<\/p>\n Resides:<\/strong> Torquay<\/p>\n How long have you lived in your electorate?<\/strong> Nearly 10 years<\/p>\n What\u2019s your involvement with the community?<\/strong> I\u2019ve lived in Torquay and the Geelong area for about 25 years, supporting local climate and justice causes, and working with regional businesses in the energy and policy sectors.<\/p>\n Are you associated with or have you been associated with a political party or movement?<\/strong> This is my first time running. I\u2019ve never been a member of a major party \u2014 I chose Legalise Cannabis Party because its values align with civil liberty and reform.<\/p>\n Who are you preferencing?<\/strong> The Legalise Cannabis Party will determine the preferences. That said, our preferences lean toward progressive candidates and will be decided on principle, not deals \u2014 especially those supporting drug law reform, public health, and human rights.<\/p>\n What is your campaign budget?<\/strong> Are you receiving financial assistance? We\u2019re running a low-budget, grassroots campaign with minimal party support. No corporate donors that I am aware of \u2014 just small contributions and a lot of personal and volunteer time and effort.<\/p>\n For you, what are the three most important issues in your electorate?<\/strong> Cost of living and housing affordability. Sensible, evidence-based cannabis reform. Regional investment in health, jobs, and climate resilience<\/p>\n Darcy Dunstan<\/strong> Resides:<\/strong><\/p>\n Occupation:<\/strong><\/p>\n How long have you lived in your electorate?<\/strong> I lived here as a child and returned to the Surf Coast three years ago to raise kids close to family, after serving over a decade in the military.<\/p>\n What\u2019s your involvement with the community?<\/strong> I’m a volunteer firefighter with the Belbrae CFA, I was the previous Vice President of the Torquay RSL, and I also volunteer with the Modewarre Football Netball Club.<\/p>\n Are you associated with or have you been associated with a political party or movement?<\/strong> I joined the Liberal Party approximately 18 months ago because I was fed up with the current government’s failure to help people in our region \u2013 people like my mum, who was struggling to pay her power bills. I see this as democracy in action \u2013 everyday people stepping up when things aren\u2019t working.<\/p>\n
\nIndependent<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nBellarine Landcare (President 5yrs, Vice President 4yrs, Member 15yrs.)
\nDrysdale Primary School Council (8 yrs)
\nDrysdale Tennis Club committee and as a community coach (15 yrs)
\nBellarine Secondary College School Council (2 yrs)
\nParent volunteer at Drysdale Soccer Club (10 yrs), Peninsula Sharks Women\u2019s Football & Drysdale Junior Football and Netball (2 yrs)
\nIn 2023 I received the City of Greater Geelong Women Community Life: Climate Action award.
\nAre you associated with or have you been associated with a political party or movement?
\nNo. I have been involved with Women in Local Democracy for a couple of years, I am graduate fellow of Women Leading Locally (2024). I joined the Voices of Corangamite community group in January 2025.<\/p>\n
\nTo encourage informed, values-based voting I have reviewed the policies of other candidates and provided my evaluation of where they stand comparatively in terms of Integrity, Equity and Climate Change.<\/p>\n
\nVoices of Corangamite have contributed $2,000 to my campaign. There is no support from Climate 200 or the Regional Voices Fund.<\/p>\n
\n2) Axing billions in subsidies to fossil fuel companies and freeing up funds for community need including housing, and climate change mitigation. NO to nuclear energy, NO new gas or coal, NO to waste incineration in Lara.
\n3) Corangamite needs improved public transport connectivity and shared paths. Non-drivers want to move independently around our region. Let primary carers get back to their professional work.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/04\/james-jackson-cropped.jpg\")
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\nTrumpet of Patriots<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nHousing & Infrastructure \u2013 Support super-for-housing access and fast regional rail to improve housing affordability.
\nNational Sovereignty \u2013 Cut unsustainable immigration, exit harmful global treaties, and prioritise Australians first.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/04\/paul-barker-cropped.jpg\")
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\nLibertarian Party<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/04\/mitch-pope-cropped.jpg\")
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\nThe Australian Greens<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nPauline Hanson’s One Nation<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/04\/libby-coker-cropped.jpg\")
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\nAustralian Labor Party<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nWhether it\u2019s through tax cuts, energy bill relief, Free TAFE, cheaper medicines, Urgent Care Clinics in Torquay and Belmont, Labor is working hard to help make life more affordable.
\nAnd as our region continues to grow, so too must the infrastructure that connects us. That\u2019s why Labor is delivering the next stage of the Barwon Heads Road upgrade, with more than $190m in funding locked in to make journeys smoother and safer.
\nStrong, connected communities also need great local facilities, and for many people, that starts with grassroots sport. That\u2019s why Labor is delivering courts at a new Armstrong Creek Sports Centre, investing in an indoor pool at the North Bellarine Aquatic Centre, and upgrading Leopold\u2019s sport precinct. And if re-elected, Labor will invest in upgrading Grovedale\u2019s netball courts at Burdoo Reserve, Drysdale\u2019s netball facilities, and a new home for soccer in Ocean Grove at Devlin\u2019s Road Reserve.
\nThis is important work, and it\u2019s all part of Labor\u2019s vision to build our region\u2019s future.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/04\/harley-mackenzie-cropped.jpg\")
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\nLegalise Cannabis Party<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/04\/darcy-dunstan-cropped.jpg\")
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\nLiberal Party of Australia<\/strong><\/p>\n