LABOR and the Greens have announced their candidates for the federal seat of Mallee ahead of the May 21 election.
Carole Hart, who grew up in Maryborough, is again contesting the seat for Labor, while Sam McColl, who identifies as a young, queer activist and community volunteer, is the new Greens candidate.
Ms Hart, who grew up in Maryborough, contested the seat in 2019, attracting a 3.5 per cent swing away from the Nationals after preferences.
As a former worker in the community services, the party said Ms Hart has a strong belief in social justice – access to age care, childcare, health and education, services when and where they are needed with secure jobs for workers in services to support people, young and old.
“Doing more to meet the challenges of climate change, including water management, as well as protecting and creating the local jobs that Mallee families depend upon are key priorities for Carole,” the party’s statement said.
Mr McColls said climate change and health care were among his key concerns leading into the election.
“We’re already seeing the effects of climate change in Mallee, as well as witnessing the devastating, record-breaking floods in northern NSW, on top of the Black Saturday bushfires,” Mr McColl said.
“This is climate change. It’s here right now, yet Labor and Liberal still support 114 new coal and gas projects.
Other candidates include incumbent Anne Webster (Nationals), Sophie Baldwin (Independent), Claudia Haenel (Independent), Stuart King (United Australia Party) and Chris Lahy (Citizens Party).
