Politics & Council
26 January, 2026
Louise Staley makes tilt for Upper House vacancy
FORMER Ripon MP Louise Staley has launched a comeback bid.
Louise Staley will contest Liberal pre-selection for the second spot on its Upper House ticket in Western Victoria Region for November’s state election.
Sitting member Joe McCracken last week announced he would not seek a second term.
Western Victoria Region takes in the Legislative Assembly seat of Ripon that was held by Ms Staley from 2014 to 2022. She had been the Coalition’s shadow treasurer when defeated by Labor’s Martha Haylett four years ago.
Ms Staley confirmed to the Loddon Herald last week that she had nominated but was unable to comment further due to party rules.
The Liberals’ No 1 Western Victoria Region MP and leader in the Legislative Council, Bev McArthur, is being challenged for her position on the ticket by Trent Sullivan, Manish Patel and Ellinor Read.
Another former MP Graham Watt is also standing for the second spot.
Nominations for pre-selection closed last week and a convention is expected to be held by March.