Dr Kate Gazzard named as replacement Greens candidate in Wannon

FORMER Surf Coast Shire councillor Kate Gazzard will contest Wannon in the forthcoming federal election for the Greens, campaigning on climate action and social justice.

She is now the second Greens candidate to be announced for the seat, her campaign launch coming just weeks after original candidate Lauren Green’s dual citizenship forced her withdrawal from the race.

A spokesperson for the Victorian Greens said Dr Gazzard had been chosen to replace Ms Green after it was found the Winchelsea artist’s citizenship “could prove challenging to resolve before the earliest possible nomination date”.

“Section [44] of the Constitution is a barrier for many people and is one of the reasons that Parliament does not reflect [this] increasingly diverse and multicultural nation.”

A paediatric emergency doctor and mum of two, Dr Gazzard has lived on the Surf Coast for the past six years, serving on the local council between 2020 and 2024.

She was unsuccessful in seeking re-election in October last year.

“We need to have Greens representation in all levels of government, with a seat at the table and a voice in the chamber to keep challenging outdated and conservative views,” Dr Gazzard said.

“We need to hold the old parties to account and challenge all levels of government on issues that affect not only our local precinct, but the whole planet.”

Among her priorities, Dr Gazzard has identified environmental protection, affordable housing, equitable access to health care, a greater focus on safe and active transport, and the stopping of all new fossil fuel projects, particularly offshore drilling and seismic blasting.

“Now, more than ever, we need people power to stand up to the gas companies, polluters and the government, who are letting giant corporations explore for gas in our oceans,” she said.

“It is unacceptable, knowing what we know, that we would allow things like seismic blasting and gas exploration to happen – this needs to stop now.

“As citizens of the world, we have a duty of care to the current generation, and future generations, whether it be reducing and mitigating the effects of climate change, speaking out again violence and war, or pushing for social justice, gender and racial equity.”

The seat of Wannon, which stretches from Anglesea to the South Australian border, has been held by the Liberal Party since 1955.

It is now considered marginal, after independent candidate Alex Dyson secured 19.3 per cent of the primary vote and enough preferences in 2022 to reduce incumbent Liberal MP Dan Tehan’s margin to 3.9 per cent.