Cr Alan Pignataro said Mallee voters, no matter what their political persuasion, would struggle to vote for a politician who, even in jest, referred to the Wimmera as `redneck country surrounded by neo-Nazis'.

He said the situation had not only left ALP voters in the electorate `out in the cold' but had put a notion of trying to build up healthy political competition for the seat back many years.

"That, in turn, in some circumstances, means that local government in the region, in trying to win the best deals possible for its people, has to work and lobby so much harder," he said.

"But if that's what we have to do, that's what we'll do. And in truth, it's never been any different."

Cr Pignataro said he held no political allegiances and simply voted on what he considered the best policies for rural Victoria.

"But there are no secrets about the benefits of living in a swinging seat. But that will never happen here if major candidates, even commenting as a joke off the record, think it's right to say what they like about people," he said.

"And what people often say in jest, can sometimes reveal an accurate reflection of their opinion. It's disappointing to say the least."

Mr Zigouras apologised last week for making the comments to the Mail- Times which he claimed were `off the record' and made in `a light-hearted manner'.

John Forrest holds the seat of Mallee for The Nationals and rival candidates would need to conjure a massive swing to get close to, let alone rival him, at the election.

• Editorial, page 14.