Politics & Council
7 April, 2026
High-profile pair confirm seat tilt for Nationals
FARMER leader Brett Hosking and Loddon Mayor Dan Straub will face off for Nationals’ preselection in Murray Plains.
The Nationals lasst week officially opened the search for a candidate to succeed Peter Walsh.
Mr Hosking, who announced last month he would step down as Victorian Farmers’ Federation president, and Cr Straub both confirmed they would nominate.
The party will close nominations for Murray Plains, Bendigo East and Ripon on April 9 with a convention of members to vote later in the month.
Meanwhile, the Liberal’s Upper House leader Bev McArthur has seen off challengers to retain top spot on the party’s ticket in Western Victoria Region.
Former MP Graham Watt, of Melton, won the contest for second spot after Joe McCracken earlier announced he would not seek a second term in State Parliament. Mr Watt was the member for Burwood between 2010 and 2018.
Former Ripon MP Louise Staley was among unsuccessful candidates for the second position.
Mrs McArthur said delegates backed “a united team by preselecting Graham Watt and me as their top two Upper House candidates for the state election.”