Nationals 'fighting' to win Bendigo as Jacinta Allan exits politics

Jacinta Allan, the former Victorian premier and long-serving member for Bendigo East, has officially stepped down from politics, removing a key obstacle for the Nationals' bid to capture the regional city of Bendigo in the upcoming November state election. The announcement came after a three-week silence following her loss of the Labor Party leadership to Ben Carroll earlier this month. Allan’s departure marks a pivotal moment in the electoral race for the seat, which has become a focal point for both major parties and smaller contenders. Allan, who represented Bendigo East for 27 years, had been largely absent from her electorate since stepping down as premier. Her resignation comes amid growing dissatisfaction among some residents regarding the perceived neglect of regional areas under the current government. On Friday, she confirmed she would not seek re-election, ending her political career after nearly two decades in public service. Andrew Lethlean, the Nationals’ candidate for Bendigo East, has spent the past six months campaigning to unseat Allan. Despite her exit, Lethlean emphasized that his campaign remained unchanged. “We have missed out; we had a city-centric government and Jacinta Allan was leading that city-centric government,” he stated. He reiterated his commitment to redirecting 25 percent of investment toward regional areas, a policy he said was unaffected by Allan’s decision to step aside. Nationals leader Danny O’Brien commented on Allan’s tenure, stating that her time as premier and a minister had not been a positive experience. “It's not a surprise that she's gone, absolutely. We wish her all the best, but unfortunately Victoria is left with the worst, and that's a concern for all Victorians,” O’Brien remarked. He expressed confidence in Lethlean’s ability to compete strongly for Bendigo East, regardless of the opposition. Political analyst Zareh Ghazarian from Monash University noted that Allan’s resignation alters the dynamics of the electoral contest significantly. While Lethlean is expected to remain a formidable contender, the possibility of a new Labor candidate or a One Nation candidate entering the fray introduces uncertainty. “I suspect that Bendigo East as an electorate is going to definitely be one of the seats to watch on election night,” Ghazarian said, predicting a tight race with a likely close outcome. With Allan’s departure, the Labor Party must now identify a new candidate for Bendigo East. Rank-and-file members of the Bendigo East branch have begun the process of selecting a replacement, despite their initial support for Allan to continue her candidacy. In a letter obtained by the ABC, the branch’s 80 members expressed solidarity with Allan, acknowledging her contributions to public schools, hospitals, and transport infrastructure, along with her advocacy for regional communities. The absence of Allan from public life since her resignation has bolstered the Nationals’ campaign efforts. On Friday, the party announced David Hutchings, an accountant, volunteer firefighter, and emergency responder, as their candidate for Bendigo West, challenging the incumbent MP and Speaker of the House, Maree Edwards of Labor. Local sentiment appears divided, though some residents believe Allan’s decision to exit politics was necessary. Charlotte Spencer, a resident of Bendigo, stated that while Allan had contributed significantly to the region over her 27-year tenure, many felt it was time for her to step away. This sentiment reflects broader frustrations with the current administration’s policies and priorities, which have fueled the Nationals’ push in the area.