By Parker McKenzie
Volunteers were out in force at the Boronia Community Church on Monday 20 March as early voting for the Aston by-election opened.
Ahead of Election Day on Saturday 1 April, The Star Mail spoke to those volunteering for candidates who want to represent the local community about why they were giving their chosen candidate their time and effort.
Liberal volunteer Jeff said he was volunteering because he has supported the party his entire life and was impressed with Liberal candidate Roshena Campbell.
“I’m really annoyed at what happened to funding for roads in this electorate,” he said.
“I really appreciate pre-polling, it’s the way of the future and many people are making comments about how they are getting it out of the way early because they have things to do on the weekend.”
Ms Campbell is a Melbourne City councillor and a barrister.
Greens volunteer Don said he was volunteering because voting was an important part of a democratic society.
“I first handed out cards for the Greens in 1983, when we were worried about dams in Tasmania,” he said.
“You have the usual people who know who they are going to vote for and the rest are of course friendly, and they know it’s strictly political theatre.”
Angelica Di Camillo, the Greens candidate, works as a project manager for an engineering consulting company focused on sustainable buildings and infrastructure, and was previously the Greens candidate for Rowville during the 2022 Victorian state election.
Labor volunteer Robert said he was inspired to help Mary Doyle because she took “the courageous move of running again.”
“Why would anyone vote for someone in opposition? If you’re voting, you want your voice heard and you should vote for someone in government,” he said.
“I have sympathies for my colleagues here from the Fusion Party and Greens, but I cannot see why this electorate wouldn’t vote for Labor.”
Ms Doyle was the Labor candidate at the 2022 federal election, where she saw a strong swing towards the party against the recently retired Alan Tudge.
Tom, volunteering for the Fusion Party, said as a long-term Greens and Labor voter, he was feeling disenfranchised and unheard and decided to support an amalgamation of a number of smaller independent parties.
“It’s the first time I’ve ever done anything politically,” he said.
“It’s the first time ever I’ve felt galvanized to actually say I can’t complain in private if I’m not actually doing anything.”
Fusion Party candidate Owen Miller is a programmer who said he wants to see the government keep up with technological advancement and trends.
Will, the youngest of the volunteers at 18, said he had previously supported independent candidate Maya Tesa at last year’s state and federal election.
“I wouldn’t be doing it if she wasn’t a great woman that really cares about the constituents of the area in which she intends to represent,” he said.
“A few years ago, you could just live your life but and not be involved but with so much government interference in individuals’ everyday lives.”
Ms Tesa is a Libertarian candidate who previously ran in the Upper House for the Liberal Democrats in the state election last year.
For a list of all early voting centres and election day voting options, visit aec.gov.au/aston/voting
The Aston electorate covers Bayswater, Boronia, Ferntree Gully, Knoxfield, Rowville, Scoresby, The Basin, Wantirna and Wantirna South, and parts of Lysterfield, Sassafras and Upper Ferntree Gully.
