I have had private discussions with them about the claim that the Nationals were responsible for gaining a new Special School for Horsham and for new Horsham College buildings. The Wimmera community has been responsible for these, and all the other projects mentioned, in my opinion.

I was involved with the Special School's fight to gain a purpose-built facility since the 1970s at Karkana, at Horsham West and Horsham College in 1989 and the present site in 2013. Successive school councils and members of the community fought for these gains, especially over the 20 years before we were successful.

Members of the Upper and Lower Houses of the Victorian Parliament became active in the cause in 2007 following media coverage of poor conditions of the buildings and inadequate grounds. As school council president for eight years from 2007, I can attest to the contributions of parents, staff and community - including politicians - that gained this wonderful facility.

This is not an uncommon story in the Wimmera and Mallee.

Horsham College has been left seriously underfunded when the Coalition Government spent money promised to Horsham on Sebastapol's Phoenix College. The Warracknabeal Education complex is another sad tale. The Cancer Centre is a great improvement for the Wimmera but totally inadequate for comprehensive treatment of the large numbers of cancer patients in the region. Government schools and hospitals are being seriously underfunded.

The Western Highway will be built properly some time in the future maybe. Public transport may be adequate some time in the future. It goes on.

A bright spot has appeared in the form of Cecelia Moar, Jason Modica and Ray Kingston offering to serve the Mallee electorate population as an independent candidate.

The fact that they are willing to negotiate and swap preferences and co-operate with each other bodes well, as we need a member who can negotiate for us in Federal Parliament, rather than bag others.

Perhaps we will receive a fair share of the Federal Budget money in the future.

Max Cuddihy, Horsham

ON MAY 18 we go to the polls to elect new leaders to represent us in Canberra.

Like much of the population, I have lost trust and respect for our political leaders.

I am disappointed in the behavior and antics of some of our politicians.

We need to think very carefully who we choose in what I consider will be a very important election for Australia.

After years of being juggled between the major parties we still fall far behind the rest of the state in funding for infrastructure and services.

For the major part of 70 years we have been represented by the Liberal National Party.

We are promised or given some funding leading up to an election and subsequently do not receive it or have it removed at the next. They unashamedly take us for granted and it's time for change.

For anything to change, we have to do things differently and this means voting for Independent candidates that live in and understand what the people of the Wimmera and Mallee need for their future.

I have been waiting for nearly 50 years for a suitable Independent candidate to put their hand up and it has finally happened in Ray Kingston.

Ray is an honest, down-to-earth guy and is committed to making the north-west part of the state a better place to live.

If ever we had a chance to break the deadlock safe seat created by previous governments, it is with him. That's why he'll be getting my vote.

Carole Baker, Pimpinio

IT'S not just who you put first that matters.

If people of the Mallee really want change, voters would do well to acquaint themselves with how Australia's preferential voting system works before casting their vote.

The Nats have held this seat since it was formed - 70 odd years ago. If you decide to vote for change by putting a minor party or Independent first, you still need to think about who you number next - all the way to the last number 13.

Putting the Nats second will not bring us change - because unless your first vote receives more first preferences than the Nats, your second vote will come into play and effectively be a vote for the Nats.

With 13 candidates and great discontent with our major parties, we can expect lots of votes for the independents and minor parties, but unless you put the Nats last we are unlikely to see change.

It's disappointing that some of our candidates don't seem to understand this - or worse, don't mind the Nats retaining our seat.

If you really want change, #putthenatslast

Deborah Bogenhuber, Irymple

A TRUTH is a truth, regards of one's political belief. However, we must be vigilant in these times when truth is under siege.

The current political scene is saturated with misinformation and open hostility to verifiable facts.

When truth is compromised, democracy is hobbled. More than ever, it is vital that the media uphold the traditions of objective journalism without fear.

All politicians and prospective politicians, please take notice.

Donald Jagger, Horsham

Letters on election issues must bear the name and full address of the writer(s). Responsibility for election comment in this issue is accepted by editor Jessica Grimble. Writers should disclose any alliance with political or community organisations and include their phone number for verification. Election candidates should declare themselves as such when submitting letters.