The ALP candidate for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas, claims she is “well supported” by the Labor Party despite public opposition against her.
A petition calling for her sacking has been circulated and signed by more than 85 per cent of ALP members in the electorate, which includes Toolern Vale and Blackwood.
The petition was organised by branch members following the preselection of Ms Thomas ahead of former federal MP Christian Zahra, who received 81 per cent of votes taken in a local ballot.
The petition states that members are “outraged” with the decision, “which many believe is likely to prove disastrous for the party’s electoral prospects” in November.
Speaking to the Weekly last week, Ms Thomas defended her preselection.
“I’m sure Christian Zahra is a good candidate. But there was a preselection process conducted under the rules [of the Labor party] which I won.
“In the same way that David Feeney and I participated in the preselection process [for the seat of Batman] under the rules, he won, and I fell in behind him in support of him. The real issue is about defeating the Liberals in November.
“That’s what I’m focused on.”
The now-Kyneton resident hit back at claims that she’s an “imported candidate”.
“One of the things about the Macedon Ranges is that it’s a part of Victoria that many people are moving to and choosing to live in. “Like many people, I have chosen to move to the Macedon Ranges and there are many constituents out there who have done exactly the same thing.”
Daylesford ALP branch president John Goullet said it was unheard of that Mr Zahra, a Trentham resident, who had a high level of local branch support, was not endorsed.
“This candidate [Ms Thomas] should never have been forced on us against our wishes. She should resign immediately so that the party can try to recover the considerable electoral ground it’s lost as a result of this debacle.”
Liberal Party member and Sunbury resident Adrian Lodders said: “Even if Labor changes candidates in Macedon, the damage is done. The faceless men have shown it’s not about local representation.”
