By Catherine Watson
THE Battle for Monash is shaping as one of the most intriguing of the 2025 federal election. After years of being a safe Liberal seat, Monash became marginal at the 2022 election with Liberal MP Russell Broadbent just surviving a national swing against the Liberal Party.
Adding to the interest this time, a new Liberal candidate has replaced the sitting MP, the sitting MP is standing as an Independent, another Teal-ish Independent is running a blistering campaign and the Labor candidate is keeping his powder dry.
The Post election edition will include profiles of all the candidates, giving you the information you need to make an informed vote.
And you can help with some perceptive questions for candidates. Please forward questions to [email protected] and state whether they are general or directed to an individual candidate.
THE Battle for Monash is shaping as one of the most intriguing of the 2025 federal election. After years of being a safe Liberal seat, Monash became marginal at the 2022 election with Liberal MP Russell Broadbent just surviving a national swing against the Liberal Party.
Adding to the interest this time, a new Liberal candidate has replaced the sitting MP, the sitting MP is standing as an Independent, another Teal-ish Independent is running a blistering campaign and the Labor candidate is keeping his powder dry.
The Post election edition will include profiles of all the candidates, giving you the information you need to make an informed vote.
And you can help with some perceptive questions for candidates. Please forward questions to [email protected] and state whether they are general or directed to an individual candidate.
The candidates so far:
 Liberal Party - Mary Aldred Walloped long-standing Liberal MP Russell Broadbent 161 votes to 16 in the local Liberal pre-selection race. She has an impressive track record and it’s good to see the Liberal Party select a woman in a winnable seat but it’s shaping up as a tough battle.  Independent – Deb Leonard Picked up 11 per cent of the vote in 2022. Second time around, she’s amassed a huge war chest, including $364,340 from Climate 200 up to the end of February, and an army of volunteers throughout the electorate.  Greens – Terence Steele A semi-retired teacher from Kardella South who says climate action is a strong motivator for his decision to stand. The Greens picked up 9.6% at the 2022 election but many of their volunteers have jumped ship to support independent Deb Leonard.  One Nation – Kuljeet Robinson Has a Queensland address and probably doesn’t know her Kongwak from her Korumburra. Has not responded to questions so far. |  Labor – Tully Fletcher A Kilcunda resident, he was senior adviser to the Victorian Attorney-General from 2014-2019 before joining Deloitte Australia. Labor got within 2.6% of snatching Monash in 2022 on the back of massive discontent with the Scott Morrison Government. It will be harder this time.  Independent – Russell Broadbent The Liberal MP for Monash (formerly McMillan) since 2004, he dumped the Liberal Party after they dumped him. He believes his opposition to mandatory Covid vaccines cost him the party’s pre-selection and it continues to be of abiding interest to him.  Family First - Geoff Dethlefs A retired school teacher, principal and pastor who’s lived in the Monash electorate for the past 19 years. He’s a climate change sceptic who believes baseload power should come from coal, gas or hydro and nuclear power should be explored. National Party - ??? The Nationals still intend to run a candidate, according to the latest from Party HQ, but are yet to announce one. |