McKnight to run for federal parliament

WES McKnight has been endorsed by the Liberal Party as their candidate for the seat of Ballarat at the next federal election.

With a background in construction and business, Mr McKnight is a born-and-bred Ballarat person who raised his three children locally. He’s also been involved with community organisations including the Rotary Club of Ballarat and 99.9 Voice FM.

Mr McKnight said he is standing for federal parliament because he believes the region needs change.

“I’m really proud to have been preselected to represent Ballarat,” he said. “I’m putting my hand up because I’m concerned that Ballarat is being forgotten by Labor. It’s a community dear to my heart.

“People are struggling. The cost of living is hurting people, housing is too expensive, homelessness is increasing… Things are getting worse for the people of Ballarat.“Last year I helped our Rotary Club provide 8000 litres of long-life milk to the local SoupBus here in Ballarat, and the feedback we received was that it was barely enough to meet the increased demand by families with young kids who can barely afford to put food on their table due to the cost-of-living crisis.”

Mr McKnight said his goal, if he is elected next year, is to improve the quality of life for people in the electorate, and ease pressures on them.

“The way we are going to do that is to build more houses to make homes more affordable, lower the cost of living, and make it easier for employers to employ more people,” he said.

“What people want right now is a government that’s going to make life easier. We need someone focussed on Ballarat. We need better rail and transport, better roads, better hospitals…

“We need a local member of parliament who is focussed on delivering for Ballarat and not distracted. If elected, I will be from here, for us.

“I can’t wait for the work to begin.”

Mr McKnight’s candidacy was announced this morning at the Ballarat Yacht Club. Liberal Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson was in attendance as were State Members for Western Victoria Bev McArthur and Joe McCracken.

“It’s wonderful to have Wes formally endorsed,” Ms Henderson said. “He’s very much a part of the Ballarat community and a great local advocate who has been deeply embedded here for four generations.

“We are absolutely delighted to have someone of Wes’ calibre representing the Liberal party in a seat that we consider has been let down for far too long by the Albanese Government.”

The Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King is Ballarat’s member of parliament and has been in the role since 2001.

The seat runs from Pittong and Burrumbeet in the west to Sutherlands Creek, Gordon and Trentham in the east, and Campbelltown and Kennedys Gully in the north to Shelford and Teesdale in the south.

Local government areas within the electorate are the City of Ballarat, and the Golden Plains, Hepburn, and Moorabool shires.