A lawyer, farmer and soon-to-be-mother from Navigators will contest the new seat of Buninyong at November’s state election.
“I actually think I have it pretty easy,” Nationals candidate Sonia Smith says with a laugh. “If you look at the number of single mums, and older generations where the women did it all themselves, I’m lucky enough to have so many supporters behind me.”
Although the Nationals have not contested a seat in the Ballarat area for more than 25 years, Ms Smith believes her passion and knowledge of the region will define her political career.
“I think we can do better than we are right now. People are working hard and long hours but not reaping the profit and that’s not right.
“We aren’t just quarries or food bowls in Moorabool. While we have these features, we’re so much more than that.”
Ms Smith will run against sitting Ballarat East Labor MP Geoff Howard.
A Liberal candidate is yet to be announced.
