A local MP has spoken of her anxiety regarding the safety of others during the upcoming Victorian election.
This comes ahead of the first early voting centres opening on November 18th, with Federal Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters telling our newsroom that she has previously felt unsafe at pre-poll centres.
“And quite often that’s not [because of] the locals, it’s people who have… blown into town just for that period,” Ms Chesters said.
“We saw at our last pre-poll, it became a beacon, an epicentre for anger and aggression. Some of it was perpetrated by people who were volunteers for some of the political parties…
“They know where we’re going to be – it’s early voting. It is part of our democracy that people are there handing out How-to-Votes.
“I understand that there are discussions going on at the state level to work out how you can make that voting experience as safe and inclusive as possible, and I know I’m calling for it at the federal level.
“People who approach a voting centre – whether it be on election day or early voting – should be able to do so without the fear of intimidation or threats.
“Having 20 volunteers in one colour crowding over people is not appropriate – it creates an intimidating environment.”
Her comments follow the recent alleged attack on Indi MP Helen Haines in Wangaratta, which prompted calls from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and others to “turn the temperature down” and be more respectful when discussing political matters.
It’s a call that Ms Chesters repeated in her interview with Gold Central Victoria, urging everyone to “do better” regarding their treatment of others.
“Not just… people in parliament house, but our community, [and our] society,” Ms Chesters explained.
“At the end of the day, Helen was at work – she was violently attacked at work.
“Regardless of whether you’re a member of parliament, a nurse, a teacher, somebody working in hospitality or retail, everybody deserves to be safe at work.”
She also stressed the need for us to condemn violence, and threats of violence “each and every time” they happen.
“We need to be reminding our children, our peers, our colleagues that it’s not funny. If you see it online, if you see it on social media, we need to call it out.”
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