Asher confirmed as Libs candidate

CITY of Greater Geelong Mayor Stephanie Asher is confident that campaigning for the Liberal Party, leading the council and operating her consultancy business won’t be a “juggle” – more a matter of time management.

The Ocean Grove resident gained Liberal pre-selection for the Federal seat of Corangamite last week and has committed to “hitting the ground running” across the re-shaped electorate which will take in the south-east corner of Golden Plains Shire, the Bellarine, and parts of Geelong and Surf Coast Shire.

Ms Asher’s pre-selection to represent the Liberal Party in one of Australia’s most marginal seats is an early move, with the Federal election not expected until possibly mid-2022 and just a handful of candidates nominated across Victoria at this stage.

“My mission is to continue to drive an extremely positive and proactive agenda, underpinned by intellectual rigour, hard work, compassion and an absolute determination to get things done in the best interests of our community,” she said.

In 2013 Ms Asher stood as an independent candidate in Corio and said becoming a Federal MP was an opportunity “to make a real difference to people” with a focus on making sure a Liberal Government was re-elected.

She also said she would listen to the community’s views but believed transport, regional jobs and managing growth while protecting the environment would be among the key issues at the next election.

“I am very concerned about over-development which is why our council, since 2017, has directed growth into the north and western areas of Geelong and away from the Bellarine Peninsula,” she said.

“Whether it’s caring for the most vulnerable, investing in first-class health and education or delivering the infrastructure we need to support growing communities, our community must come first.”

Ms Asher said she was committed to “continuing to work extremely hard as mayor” and, as required, would take leave from council when the election was called.

She said in the meantime, she didn’t see any concerns with remaining the City’s spokesperson and representing the Liberal Party, and she had a “very clear” understanding of managing conflicts of interest.

Ms Asher said party politics hadn’t been an issue with the current council and they were all very open with each other.

“We have an intelligent group of councillors who are very respectful and high-performing,” she said. “The community doesn’t like watching people argue.”

Ms Asher said she would take the same approach with the election, with a campaign about “sticking to the issues and listening to the community”.