IF opinion polls are any guide, Australians are almost equally divided in their support for the major political parties.
Those sentiments are in marked contrast to this area, where The Nationals hold the Coalition’s safest seat.
Just a day after the Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull called the election for July 2, the Liberal-Nationals Coalition and Labor are each locked on 50 per cent support.
Mr Turnbull currently enjoys a significant lead over Opposition leader, Bill Shorten as preferred Prime Minister.
The electorate of Mallee is currently held by Andrew Broad, 40, with a margin of almost 74 per cent.
He was elected in 2013 upon the retirement of John Forrest.
Mr Broad is a former Victorian Farmers Federation president and National Farmers Federation director. He operated his wheat and sheep farm for 16 years from the age of 22.
Despite the wide margin, Mr Broad said that he was not complacent and will be standing on his efforts of the past three years.
The Nationals have achieved almost three-quarters of the vote over the past four elections and have held Mallee since it was proclaimed as an electorate in 1948.
Mr Broad will be opposed for a second time by Labor candidate, Lydia Senior, who contested the 2013 election. She was also a candidate for Northern Victoria at the 2014 Victorian election.Ms Senior, a Mildura health executive, has challenged the incumbent with a campaign slogan, “Nothing ever changes in the Mallee”.
She has formal qualifications at tertiary and post graduate level in the areas of health, business, finance, law, and occupational health and safety. She is an Associate Fellow of the Australian Council of Health Service Executives and Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Fifty-three days out from the election, the Australian Electoral Commission has advised that the deadline for voters to be enrolled is 8pm on May 23.
Electoral Commissioner, Tom Rogers said all Australian citizens aged 18 years and over are required by law to enrol and vote in the federal election.
“Enrolling and voting is compulsory. If you are not enrolled, you can’t vote in the 2016 federal election,” Mr Rogers said.
“You can enrol conveniently online at aec.gov.au on your computer, tablet or smartphone.”
Mr Rogers also urged all Australians, especially those who have moved in the last three years, to immediately check that their details were up to date on the electoral roll.
“If you’re not sure that you are correctly enrolled to vote, go to aec.gov.au/check or, if you need help, call us on 13 23 26.”
“If you’re on on the roll but moved since the last election, or changed your name, you need to update your enrolment details online at aec.gov.au”
Australians unable to go online can pick up a paper enrolment form at any AEC office or Australia Post outlet, however, correctly completed applications must be returned to the AEC by the deadline.
Seventeen-year-old Australians turning 18 on or before July 2, 2016 should also enrol and vote in the federal election.
