By NOEL MURPHY
GEELONG is shaping up as the central battleground for this year’s state election, according to political observers.
They said the region’s manufacturing jobs crisis, two marginal seats and the high profile of its mayor combined to put Geelong front and centre of Liberal and Labor political campaigns.
The lower house seats of Bellarine and Geelong, both Labor but with notionally-reduced margins following boundary changes, were critical to power in Spring Street, they said.
Deakin University politics lecturer Geoffrey Robinson forecast a “strong focus on Geelong seats”.
“Geelong proper, you’d have to see as improved for Labor by redistribution but the Liberals might think, ‘We have Ian Trezise retiring, that gives us a bit of a chance’.
“With Lisa Neville in Bellarine, since Whittington and St Albans are out with the redistribution, it’s now notionally Liberal, so expect attention there particularly.”
Ms Neville agreed Geelong and Bellarine would be the seats to watch.
“I think they’ll be critical although there are some seats in Melbourne’s sandbelt that people will be watching, too.”
A steady procession of state Liberal politicians have visited Geelong in recent months, appearing at numerous photo opportunities with Mayor Darryn Lyons.
Cr Lyons said Geelong was “absolutely crucial to either the Liberals or Labor winning office”.
“I think Geelong is vital. There are major seats up for grabs and that’s why I’m working so hard in the run-up to the election because the election may hinge on it.
“It’s vital both parties understand that the mayor is fighting for sustainable jobs, infrastructure and economic growth and capitalising on private-public investment for the future of Geelong.”
Labor’s South Barwon candidate, Cr Andy Richards, said the mayor’s high profile meant he would play a key role in ensuring both sides of politics took Geelong seriously.
“My view would be that the council and the mayor take a bipartisan approach to the state election process,” Cr Richards said.
Labor’s Geelong candidate, Christine Couzens, hoping to replace retiring Labor incumbent Ian Trezise, said the region “certainly at the state level has the potential to tip the Government”.
A jobs plan commitment would be the key as displaced workers became anxious and cynical about their prospects, she said.
