High Country Times
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
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Indi candidates Page 21 Q&A
Easter messages
Page 22
BILLYCART BASH
GRIFF Scott Barber took out the junior title on the weekend in the augural Buller Billycart Bash against a strong line-up of contenders both local and from further afield. In a cart knocked together in the shed with his dad Tim, the local race team are looking forward to contesting the title in 2026 as the event returns to the mountain as part of the resort’s autumn offering. Turn to page 40 for more billycart action.
O’Loughlan’s top honours
Sport
Nine in Indi contest
Independent incumbent Helen Haines takes number one spot after AEC barrel draw
By JEFF ZEUSCHNER NINE candidates are vying for your vote in the Indi federal election, with Independent incumbent federal MP Helen Haines having the much sought after top billing on the electorate ballot paper following a bingo style barrel draw undertaken by the Australian Electoral Commission in Wangaratta on Friday. The rest of the ballot order is as follows: Mitch Bridges (Labor); James Trenery (Liberal); Athol
federal election INDI
Thomas (One Nation); Alysia Regan (The Greens); Tim Quilty (Libertarian); Michael White (Family First); Ben Howman (Legalise Cannabis); and Mark McFarlane (Independent). Dr Haines, Mr Trenery and Mr McFarlane were the only three candidates at Friday’s ballot draw. All three said they were looking forward to meeting voters and
campaigning strongly in the weeks leading up to 3 May polling day, acknowledging that a lot of people in Indi do their voting in the two weeks leading up to election day. Now candidates will be busy finalising their preference deals with fellow candidates ahead of the printing of the how to vote cards. Indi’s field of candidates has several differences to last election, the most notable being the absence of a Nationals candidate, as well as Clive Palmer (Trumpet
of Patirots) and Animal Justice not contesting the seat, but Legalise Cannabis entering the battle. Dr Haines has held the Indi seat for two terms after taking over from fellow Independent Cathy McGowan in 2019. Ms McGowan famously beat former Liberal MP Sophie Mirabella in a tight contest in 2013 and again at the 2016 election. In 2019 Dr Haines won 51.4 per cent of the vote over Liberal Party candidate Steve Martin, despite a 4.1pc swing to the Libs. She backed up in 2022 to beat
Liberal candidate Ross Lyman after achieving a 7.55pc swing in her favour. Early voting polling places open on Tuesday, 22 April with Bright Masonic Hall (15 Hawthorn Lane) the local venue for those in the Alpine Shire. Opening hours will include 22-24 April (8.30am-5.30pm), 26 April (9am-4pm), 28 April to 1 May (8.305.30pm), and 2 May (8.30am-6pm). Polling places on Election Day voting, 3 May, will be open from 8am to 6pm. ■ Continued page 5
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