Labor's demotion could leave south-west without parliamentary voice
Labor moved Jacinta Ermacora to second place on its upper house ballot. This likely ends south-west representation.
Ermacora represents Warrnambool in Victoria's lower house. Labor put her second on its upper house ballot for the November 28 election.
Current polls show Labor will win only one upper house seat across Western Victoria. No Labor member from the south-west will be elected.
All other major parties' candidates are based in Geelong. The south-west could have no upper house representative at all.
The region gives more than $8 billion a year to Victoria's economy. It needs people in parliament to push for funding roads, hospitals and infrastructure.
Party leaders in Melbourne decided to demote Ermacora in private. They gave the top spot to Kate Maxfield.
Voters can't choose who gets safe upper house spots. Party factions pick them.
- 8 billion dollars per year
- Regional economic contribution
- November 28
- Election date
- 5
- Upper house seats in Western Victoria
- First term
- Ermacora's term
Why it mattersA region without a voice in parliament finds it hard to compete for state funding for schools, roads and critical services.
AustraliaSouth-west Victoria's councils and residents may find it harder to lobby for state funding for roads, hospitals and community projects.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
