A “MELBOURNE” Cup field is expected when the Nationals start looking for a successor in Murray Plains to Peter Walsh.
Already, two high-profile northern Victorian councillors have been touted by some insiders as potential pre-selection candidates.
One is Loddon Mayor Dan Straub who stood as a Shooters, Fishers, Farmers Party candidate in the seat in 2018, winning more than 16 per cent of the primary vote.
Cr Straub contested the federal seat of Mallee for the Shooters’ party the following year before being elected unopposed as Loddon Shire’s Terrick Ward councillor. He was re-elected unopposed last October and became mayor for the third time the following month.
Now a member of the Nationals and president of their Bendigo branch, Cr Straub said he lived 6km outside the Murray Plains boundary. in the seat of Bendigo East held by Premier Jacinta Allan.
“I have contested Murray Plains previously but I have given no thought to seeking pre-selection to succeed Peter,” Cr Straub said last Friday.
Also being suggested as possible contender is former Campaspe Shire mayor Rob Amos, who like Cr Straub, was first elected to council in 2020 and soon became mayor. Both their terms were during flood emergencies in northern Victoria.
Cr Amos was last week announced as new chair of lobby group Rural Councils Victoria.
Cr Kate Makin (Corangamite Shire) was named as vice-chair, Bradley Thomas (CEO, Hepburn Shire Council) as secretary, and Tammy Smith (CEO, Yarriambiack Shire Council) as treasurer.
Cr Amos has previously been chair of the Murray River Group of Councils, a position now held on rotation by Cr Straub.
Speculation had been growing about Mr Walsh’s future as the local MP since stepping down after a decade as Nationals’ leader last November.
The party is not expected to call for pre-selection nominations until after the federal election tipped to be held in April or May.
- CHRIS EARL