Gillard set to rule northern Geelong

Kim Waters
PRIME Minister Julia Gillard is welcome to move into Geelong’s northern suburbs as part of a redistribution of electoral boundaries, according to the city’s federal Labor MPs.
But a leading lobby group for the city has warned the expansion of her Lalor electorate into Corio could limit Geelong’s control over important assets such as Avalon Airport.
An Australian Electoral Commission boundary review has proposed expanding Lalor from Melbourne’s west and Werribee to include Avalon, Anakie, Lara and parts of Lovely Banks. The review also proposes expanding Corio to take Queenscliff and Ocean Grove from Corangamite, its eastern boundary would fall back to the Barwon River.
The proposed boundaries would come into effect after this month’s federal election.
Corio MP Richard Marles was unfazed about losing part of his electorate.
“It’s a huge advantage that we have our Prime Minister as our closest neighbour because she has an instinctive sense of the challenges faced by Geelong,” Mr Marles said.
“Under these new boundaries we would see her move ever close to Geelong. Indeed, part of the City of Greater Geelong would be in her electorate.”
Corangamite MP Darren Cheeseman was “pleased” with the review.
“It’s good news for Geelong because it means…she’ll have a direct personal interest in the area,” he said.
Committee for Geelong executive director Peter Dorling said the proposed boundaries had “good and bad” implications for Geelong.
“Avalon and the northern industrial area are seen to be part of the Geelong region, so that would be a big loss if the boundaries changed,” Mr Dorling said.
“We would have preferred those assets to be inside one electoral boundary and attached to City of Greater Geelong although if the Prime Minister was re-elected it could be good to have her watching over those assets.”