TAKING a leaf out of her father Ken Aldred’s political playbook Liberal Mary Aldred has defied a national swing against the coalition to possibly secure a win in Monash.
Fighting a resurgent Labor Party and two fiercely competitive independent candidates in Deb Leonard and former Liberal incumbent Russell Broadbent the tenacious Ms Aldred was humbled by the support she has received.
Campaigning hard on election day in Leongatha Ms Aldred said she never took any vote for granted asking for the confidence of the people of Monash in Gippsland to be their next Federal representative.
Ms Aldred’s father, the late Ken Aldred, a career politician for 17 years, last represented the marginal seat of Deakin in the heart of Melbourne’s leafy eastern suburbs.
Struggling to hold back her emotions Mary spoke highly of her father’s legacy.
“I love my dad and miss him dearly,” said Mary.
Very much her own person Mary Aldred has forged her own style of politics.
Formerly CEO of the Committee for Gippsland the region’s leading industry voice to government Ms Aldred oversaw the growth of the organisation to 100 members.
Mary also served the local community as Chair of the Gippsland United Basketball League and Chair of the Gippsland Water Community Advisory Committee.
Ms Aldred joined Lifeline Gippsland as a board member, Latrobe Regional Hospital, Australian Sustainable Hardwoods and Woorayl Lodge Community Aged Care.
During her election campaign, Ms Aldred committed a Liberal Government to deliver $10 million for the Phillip Island Recreation Reserve to ensure local families, sports teams, and community groups have access to the high-quality facilities they deserve.
Ms Aldred also made a commitment to improve mobile phone coverage for residents, businesses and tourists in West and South Gippsland to ensure local residents, businesses, and emergency services are able to access reliable mobile coverage and internet connectivity.
“Residents, businesses, and emergency service providers have all told me that we must improve connectivity in Korumburra, Leongatha, and Phillip Island,” said Ms Aldred.
Gippsland Youth Spaces, which runs initiatives aimed at reducing youth crime across Gippsland, was also a priority for Ms Aldred to ensure young people have access to programs that promote responsibility, inclusion and respect.
Aged 42 Mary Aldred is keen to make a real contribution to parliament if elected.
“I’ll always consider Monash to be a marginal seat,” said Ms Aldred.
“I’ve had to work hard every minute of the day for the last 18 months.”
Expressing her great respect for the former Liberal incumbent in Monash, Russell Broadbent MHR Mary Aldred said she had volunteered to assist Mr Broadbent in past election campaigns.
“I think the Liberal Party received a strong message at the last election,” said Mary.
Ms Aldred set out to win the trust of the electorate.
“People knew I’d been a ‘doer’ in the community and that includes working with farmers,” said Mary.
“You can’t win this seat without the support of farmers.
“Infrastructure, careers, cutting red tape and having the ‘right to farm’ are important.”
With her mother Margaret and brother John Aldred standing by her side in the closing hours of the campaign the likely new Member for Monash not only has the strong support of family but no doubt a keen sense of history as well.
