Senior figures in the National Party's Mallee division say nothing needs to change in the way the party goes about its business, as it seeks to stave off challenges from twelve other candidates at the Federal Election on May 18.
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The party has held the seat since its creation 70 years ago, but former member Andrew Broad decided not to re-contest in December.
It followed revelations the married MP had dinner with a woman he met on a "sugar-baby" dating website while on a business trip to Hong Kong.
Bill Ower, a Vectis selling agent who has been a member of the party for 55 years, said while the saga damaged the party's brand, he believed it was unfair for voters to associate Mr Broad's actions with the National Party as a whole.
"Andrew made a mistake which is a great tragedy for him because of future he had otherwise, but for us nothing changed really," Mr Ower said.
"There certainly would be some people that would still see his behavior as a reflection of the party, but I don't think that it can be done rationally. Individuals will always make mistakes and be responsible for their own mistakes.
"The National Party has always expected members of parliament to be examples to others and be the best representatives they can."
Former member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty rejected assertions from independent candidates Ray Kingston and Cecilia Moar that the perceived lack of services and infrastructure in the electorate, and residents feeling they had no voice in Canberra, could be blamed on the party.
"We are the only major party providing a voice for regional and rural Australia. It's a cheap shot to say we haven't done anything," Mr Delahunty said.
"I think Andrew did a lot of great work in the electorate with mobile towers and the Wimmera Cancer Centre, so from that point of view he was doing his job. We've moved on and selected a very good candidate in Anne Webster.
"We need to remember who is going to represent you in Canberra for the next three years? Will it be someone like Anne who has a proven track record, or someone who will make a lot of noise and not deliver?
"We are always looking to improve in the way we represent our communities. But at the end of the day a team of Nationals will deliver a lot more out of Canberra than one or two independents that make a lot of noise but don't deliver."
Mr Delahunty estimated there were over 200 National Party members in the Horsham and Mildura areas.
Dr Webster said she believed the electorate had moved on as well. She said she had not received backlash from the Broad saga from voters while campaigning.
"A few people have said things about it, but mostly people have been coming up to me and asking 'Why should I vote for you?'," she said.
"I think people are beginning to trust me to deliver and I'm honored if so. I'm confident I can be Mallee's voice that can be heard in Canberra."
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Alexander Darling
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
