Within the next two months, Wimmera residents will know whether their electorate will still be the safest in Australia.
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Prime Minister Scott Morrison has visited the Governor-General's office in Canberra today, requesting the federal election be called for Saturday, May 18th.
The Mail-Times has sought to speak to each of the candidates contesting Mallee, asking each of them what they want to achieve and how they plan to represent such a large electorate comprehensively.
They are listed below in alphabetical order.
Leigh Firman - Science Party
Mr Firman, from Maryborough, has been gardening on a professional basis for the past 15 years.
Rick Grosvenor - Fraser Anning's Conservative National Party
The Mail-Times is seeking comment from Mr Grosvenor.
Carole Hart - Labor
Ms Hart, form Maryborough has a background of working in community services, including youth, homelessness, and aged care.
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Ray Kingston - Independent
Mr Kingston, who farms at Rupanyup, is a former Mayor of Yarriambiack Shire, and wants to see better investment in health, education, roads and telecommunications.
Chris Lahy - Citizens' Electoral Council
This is the third consecutive federal election for which Mr Lahy will run as the CEC's candidate in Mallee. He works in a refrigeration business.
Cecilia Moar - Independent
Ms Moar is a former farmer and board member of Telstra and the Mallee Catchment Management Authority. She has lived in Watchem and Swan Hill, currently lives in Horsham and owns her own communications business.
Jason Modica - Independent
Mr Modica is serving as Deputy Mayor of Mildura City Council. He has said his focuses are "People, Power and Water".
Phillip Mollison - Rise Up Australia Party
Mr Mollison has been living in Mildura for 15 years, working as an agricultural contractor. He has said he wants to see one culture for Australia, instead of multiculturalism.
Rick Millar - United Australia Party
Mr Millar is a school teacher from Balmoral. He will contest the seat for the United Australia Party - a minor party founded and led by Queensland mining magnate Clive Palmer.
Serge Petrovich - The Liberals
Mr Petrovich has worked as a criminal barrister and a detective and prosecutor with Victoria Police. His wife Donna represented northern Victoria in the Upper House of State Parliament from 2006 until 2013.
Nicole Rowan - The Greens
Ms Rowan grew up on a farm near Woomelang. She went to school at Sea Lake, but moved away from the region to go to university. She now lives in the Macedon Ranges and is a lawyer.
Daniel Straub - Shooters, Fishers and Farmers
Mr Straub is a farmer and livestock agent who lives in Tandarra, at the eastern edge of the electorate. He said he was running on a platform of fewer restrictions, including on public land access and firearms.
Dr Anne Webster - The Nationals
Dr Webster, of Mildura, is the founding director of Zoe Support, a social support organisation helping young mothers access education.
NOTE:
The Mail-Times has reached out to Mr Millar, Mr Mollison, Mr Straub, Mr Grosvenor and Ms Rowan to participate in this video series.
Swan Hill resident Allen Ridgeway planned to join the election race. However, he told the Mail-Times he could not find the money to pay the $2000 nomination fee by the deadline of April 23. He previously ran as an independent in 2013 and has run for Swan Hill Rural City Council numerous times.