Shire shows MP the door

By Kath Gannaway
McEWEN MP Fran Bailey has hit out at Yarra Ranges Council for failing to renew the lease on her Healesville electorate office.
Ms Bailey, who is not standing for the up-coming Federal Election, argues it should remain an option for the incoming representative.
Healesville is very much on the boundary of the McEwen electorate and with a redistribution of boundaries scheduled for December this year, there is the possibility that Healesville and Upper Yarra may not even be in McEwen when the 2013 election comes around.
Yarra Ranges Council is currently undertaking a $2.2m redevelopment of the Swinburne building, where the McEwen electorate office is located as a community hub, which will include a new library, the shire’s customer service centre, community meeting rooms and classrooms for Swinburne.
Mayor Len Cox said the council recently signed a lease agreement with the Federal Government, guaranteeing Ms Bailey use of the office until her departure from politics at the next election.
He rejected Ms Bailey’s contention that there was a shortage of office space in Healesville and suggested the current shire service centre in the main street will be vacant.
“There is an ideal opportunity for the Ministerial and Parliamentary Services Office to negotiate a lease to use that prominent main street site as a possible office for the new member for McEwen,” Cr Cox said.
Liberal Party campaign director for McEwen Mark Beecham said the location of any electoral office is a tricky business.
“As it stands, Flowerdale is the centre of the electorate,” he said. Healesville, Yea or Wallan were more likely choices for an office, he said.
He pointed out that the location is not just up to the candidate.
Mr Beecham confirmed that the Liberal Party’s submission to the Australian Electoral Commission, if adopted, would have Healesville and presumably Upper Yarra, move to one of the electorates to the south.
He added, that the AEC traditionally does not follow suggestions from the main parties on the basis they could be seen to benefit that party, or disadvantage another.
The final decision on the redistribution is due mid-December and it is tipped that the Federal Election will be held around August or September.
The redistribution would only effect elections held after the redistribution is gazetted.
Labor candidate Rob Mitchell said he would be happy to work from anywhere in the electorate.
“It could be in Timbuktu. Or Flowerdale?”
“Flowerdale is just 15 minutes from home, but wherever the office is, I’ll be just pleased to be representing McEwen constituents if I’m elected,” he said.