The major parties are now better prepared to fight them, says one defeated candidate, as Nationals win back seats in former strongholds
Suzanna Sheed, a two-term Victorian MP defeated by the Nationals in the state election, says independents need to improve people’s understanding of the value they provide.Suzanna Sheed, a two-term Victorian MP defeated by the Nationals in the state election, says independents need to improve people’s understanding of the value they provide.Last modified on Sat 3 Dec 2022 19.
While much of the media attention has focused on the failure of teal candidates to flip seats in the inner city, the Nationals claimed back three of the party’s former stronghold seats that had fallen to independents in recent years.Two-term MP Suzanna Sheed – defeated by the Nationals in Shepparton – says rural independents will require fresh strategies if they want to succeed in future against the major party machines.
While Sheed says independents have “been trying to do our own thing, our own way”, it wasn’t enough to fight a well-organised campaign this time around.As well as Shepparton, they also won back the seats of Mildura – where Jade Benham unseated one-term independent MP Ali Cupper – and Morwell, where the retirement of Nationals-turned independent MP Russell Northe paved the way for the party to reclaim the seat.
O’Keeffe attributes her victory to the brand recognition held by the Nationals as a party “solely about regional and rural Victoria” and her work fighting for almost six years for the community in local government.“I think the community have seen my passion and commitment, and want for better things ahead for all of us,” she said.
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