Stephanie Asher to contest Corangamite for Liberals

THE race for the marginal seat of Corangamite has unofficially started with the Liberal Party endorsing City of Greater Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher as its candidate to take on sitting Labor MP Libby Coker – but no election date in sight.

The City of Greater Geelong has confirmed that under the Local Government Act 2020, a councillor is not required to resign or take a leave of absence when running as a candidate for state or federal parliament.

However, it is believed Cr Asher plans to step down from council when the election is called.

With significant boundary changes and a growing population, the newly-drawn seat of Corangamite is likely to be key focus for major parties at the next election.

Corangamite, originally spanning to the west of Colac, was traditionally a Liberal seat until 2006 when incumbent South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman won the seat for the ALP.

Sarah Henderson, now a Victorian Senator for the Liberals, challenged him for the seat in 2010 and was successful at her second attempt, becoming the member for Corangamite in 2013.

Incumbent Corangamite MP Libby Coker, who is a former Surf Coast Shire councillor and mayor, contested the seat in 2016 and went on to win the 2019 election.