Brett Tessari says he's up for the challenge

AFTER announcing his candidacy for the State Election as The Nationals candidate for Bass, well-known local Brett Tessari says he’s ready for the challenge.

Mr Tessari’s candidacy was announced in June, and he has since been accompanying Nationals MPs throughout the electorate.

In what is shaping up to be a hotly contested election in Bass, Mr Tessari is running against the incumbent Labor MP Jordan Crugnale, Liberal candidate, Aaron Brown and Independent Jeni Jobe.

And with the electorate now encompassing new boundaries across the Westernport area including Tooradin, the pressure is on for the candidates.

Mr Tessari, who is currently a councillor and was former mayor of Bass Coast Shire, said his eyes are firmly set on the upcoming election, which he described as fulfilling his dream of representing his community at a state level.  

He spoke with the Sentinel-Times on why he chose to run for The Nationals.

“From the moment I stepped away from the mayor’s role I had set myself for the November election,” he said.

“When The Nationals approached me with the idea of being their candidate……they put it to me that The Nationals are a great fit for regional and rural Victoria.

“Only running candidates in rural and regionals seats, they are 100 per cent committed to a fair go for country Victoria and that really touched base with me.

“Part of their guarantee of a minimum 25 per cent infrastructure spend in the budget, is just what regional Victoria deserves.”

Mr Tessari said he had carefully studied the party’s policies before agreeing to run, ensuring they aligned with his values.

When asked about the party’s climate policies, as Mr Tessari has strongly campaigned for more action on climate change during his time in council, he said he was pleased.

“They’re definitely a lot more in tune with what’s going on at the moment,” he said.

“They understand that the community has an expectation that more needs to be done on climate action.”

“They’re giving me as much as room as I need to continue to push for that.”

Key issues and projects Mr Tessari plans to campaign for include the need for more housing in Bass, better road maintenance, coastal erosion solutions and much more.

“There’s erosion across the whole shire, as well as issues relating to our roads, transport and public transport,” he said.

“I’m really excited by the challenge and excited to further understand the issues facing communities in Lang Lang, Koo Wee Rup, Tooradin and Pearcedale.”

Other aspects of his campaign will include focusing on improving CFA facilities and better parking for schools.

“I’m really looking forward to building on the foundations I have achieved as a councillor and taking the next step.”

Mr Tessari also highlighted he had been disappointed by some decisions and policies of the Andrews Government, citing this as another reason to run in the election.

“There’s so many issues facing us here and I’m disappointed they’re not being addressed,” he said.

“The needs of our CFA brigades are being ignored and we know that our police and ambulance staff are seriously under resourced.

“Victoria’s health system is at breaking point and while we’ve got a new hospital in Wonthaggi, where are the extra staff going to come from and where are they going to live?

“But rather than just complain about it, I have committed to raising my hand and going into bat for our community.”

Mr Tessari also plans to learn more about the issues facing the electorate’s farming and agriculture community.