General News
1 April, 2026
Calls for nominations in three seats
THE National Party will open pre-selection nominations in Ripon, Murray Plains and Bendigo East on Tuesday.
THE National Party will open pre-selection nominations in Ripon, Murray Plains and Bendigo East on Tuesday.
They are expected to have candidates in place for the November state election later in April.
Meanwhile, teacher and farmer Steve Brooks has been endorsed by the Liberal Party in its No 1 spot for Northern Victoria Region at November’s state election.
Mr Brooks, who was the party’s candidate for Nicholls at the 2022 federal election, will succeed former minister and 24-year State Parliament veteran Wendy Lovell who is retiring. The No 1 spot is expected to guarantee Mr Brooks’ election to Parliament.
Second spot on the Coalition ticket is the Nationals’ Gaelle Broad while the Liberals have endorsed former Upper House MP Amanda Miller for the third position on its ticket.
Meanwhile, the Liberals will have a second attempt to preselect a candidate for the marginal seat of Ripon with nominations closing tomorrow.
Andrew Kilmartin had been endorsed in December but withdrew within days.
And on Saturday, the party will decide its candidates for the Upper House seat of Western Victoria where current deputy leader Bev McArthur is being challenged for top spot.
Former Ripon MP Louise Staley is seeking the second spot.
And the Greens have announced their candidate for Ripon. Hepburn Shire councillor and City of Greater Bendigo zero emission business officer Tim Drylie will contest the seat held by Labor’s Martha Haylett.
Re-elected to Hepburn council in 2024, Mr Drylie says he “sees every day how regional communities are being squeezed by the rising cost of living, housing stress, climate impacts and stretched local services”.
Read More: Loddon Shire