Local Liberal Party identity Ben Collier has been advised not to stand for the new seat of Sunbury, according to some party members.
The party has extended pre-selection for November’s state election after receiving no nominations by the original deadline.
Multiple party members, who asked not to be named, told the Weekly that nominations for the seat – which includes Sunbury, Bulla, Diggers Rest and parts of Tullamarine, Westmeadows and Gladstone Park – closed on February 14. They said the local branch expected Sunbury resident Mr Collier to stand, but he had been discouraged by key Liberal powerbrokers.
They are believed to have told other local party members that Mr Collier could not stand in Sunbury because of fallout from the 2013 federal election.
“Ben is the only one who could win the seat and defeat [Labor candidate] Josh Bull,” one member said.
“Games are being played in the seat of Sunbury. Labor Party games are being played in the Liberal Party.”
Mr Collier, who withdrew as candidate for McEwen for last year’s federal election for family reasons, told the Weekly he would not stand for the state seat. But he would not be drawn on claims he had been told not to.
“I decided that right now is not the best time for my family, and we decided not to compete this time around,” he said.
“Of course, I seriously considered it and genuinely would have liked to contribute.
“But given the year we had last year and the way things happened, [my wife] Gina and I made the decision it’s not the best thing at this time. I will be supportive of any campaign for whoever puts up their hand and will work hard for their success in Sunbury.”
Mr Collier said he hadn’t heard claims of key Liberal Party members bad-mouthing him in the community.
Sources said Sunbury resident Adrian Lodders had been approached to stand, but he declined, saying Mr Collier was the best candidate. Mr Lodders said he had “always stood by Ben and hoped he’d run again to represent the area”.
MOVES IN MACEDON
In the neighbouring Macedon electorate, former Victorian upper house member Donna Petrovich looks likely to be the Liberal candidate.
Ms Petrovich, who stepped away from State Parliament last year for an ultimately unsuccessful tilt at the federal seat of McEwen, was the only name released by the party at the close of nominations on February 14.
But sources said Ms Petrovich wasn’t among those standing for the seat when nominations originally closed on February 7.
“Originally, there had been two candidates, but the party wasn’t happy with these two candidates so they extended it by a week,” a Liberal Party source said.
“There was then a campaign to get Donna to stand and the other two candidates were convinced to drop out on the Friday and Donna then put her nomination in.”
Macedon Ranges councillor Henry McLaughlin was one of the two candidates who pulled out.
“It was a consideration and I looked into it. At that point, Donna wasn’t standing. It was suggested to me that I should consider it,” Cr McLaughlin said.
“At the time I wasn’t sure who else had. I believe I was capable of doing the job and doing it well.
“I withdrew when Donna identified as a candidate and I believe she is the best person for the job.”
Ms Petrovich said she took her time making her decision and wanted to make sure it was the right move for her and the party.
“It wasn’t a step I took lightly,’’ she said.
“I have worked and lived in the Macedon Ranges for more than 20 years in local government. It’s a place I’m passionate about and it’s something I had anticipated that I may do, moving from the upper house to the lower house.”
