Bendigo Greens gain grassroots traction with housing as a campaign focus
Homelessness in Greater Bendigo rose by a third to 1,977 people; the Greens are campaigning on housing as a key policy.
Michael Tolhurst and Liza Shaw are running as Greens candidates in Bendigo East and West. They're trying to pull off upset victories in the November 28 Victorian state election.
Support ranges from homeless people doing door-knocking to public housing tenants displaying yard signs. Homelessness in Greater Bendigo has surged by a third between 2022 and 2025.
It went from 1,416 to 1,977 people at risk. The Greens' core campaign promises include free public transport, cutting stamp duty, and doubling public housing funding.
Tolhurst acknowledged the odds but said his goal was to be a voice for positive community change.
- From 1,416 to 1,977 people, 2022 to 2025
- Homelessness increase
- November 28, 2026
- Election date
- Michael Tolhurst and Liza Shaw
- Candidates
- Visible throughout Castlemaine
- Greens signs
Why it mattersHomelessness is emerging as an election issue in Bendigo as the Greens campaign on housing and other policies.
AustraliaBendigo locals now have a housing-focused alternative to major parties, with the state election just two weeks away.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 d ago
