Labor candidate for Bass Chris Buckingham with current Bass Labor MP Jordan Crugnale.
By Catherine Watson
LABOR’S Chris Buckingham is the first candidate to be declared for the seat of Bass in next year’s state election.
The 56-year-old former CEO of the Casey Cardinia Library Corporation and the Latrobe Valley Authority is now heading Fair Co, a social procurement advisory firm.
His decision to run comes after two-term Bass MP Jordan Crugnale announced last month that she would not recontest the seat.
“The timing was interesting,” Buckingham says. “But sometimes you've got to walk through that sliding door, and that's what I've chosen to do.”
LABOR’S Chris Buckingham is the first candidate to be declared for the seat of Bass in next year’s state election.
The 56-year-old former CEO of the Casey Cardinia Library Corporation and the Latrobe Valley Authority is now heading Fair Co, a social procurement advisory firm.
His decision to run comes after two-term Bass MP Jordan Crugnale announced last month that she would not recontest the seat.
“The timing was interesting,” Buckingham says. “But sometimes you've got to walk through that sliding door, and that's what I've chosen to do.”
It’s not his first tilt at politics. In 2016 he stood for Labor in the federal seat of McMillan (now Monash), achieving a 5.8 per cent swing to Labor but finishing a distant second to veteran Liberal MP Russell Broadbent.
He jokes that putting his hand up again was a bit like being a new parent who’s forgotten the sleep deprivation of the first child.
He jokes that putting his hand up again was a bit like being a new parent who’s forgotten the sleep deprivation of the first child.
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This time he’s contesting the most marginal seat in Victoria – Labor held Bass in 2022 by just 202 votes.
Far from being daunted, Buckingham says it’s a good thing for local voters. “It’s always going to be hard to win or retain. So I’m going in with my eyes wide open about the challenge, but also really excited at the prospect of giving it a red-hot go.” He credits Jordan Crugnale with doing an extraordinary job delivering schools and community infrastructure. “She should be very proud of that, and we all have reason to be grateful,” he says, “but there’s still work to be done.” A long-time Warragul resident, Buckingham says he has strong ties across both ends of the Bass electorate through his work in tourism, his library role, and 35 years of holidaying at Inverloch. He plans to move to Inverloch full-time next July to focus on the campaign. |
Eastern Victoria
Bass Coast councillor Mat Morgan has been confirmed as the lead Greens candidate for Eastern Victoria. Morgan, who also stood at the 2022 election, said he was running to make sure Eastern Victoria has the strong, sustainability-focused representation it deserves. “I’II fight for secure regional jobs, quality services, and a future where every family can thrive in a safe, healthy environment." |
“Between now and then,” he says, “I’ll be doing a lot of listening, learning and relationship-building with people who are passionate about their community and want to see change.”
A new group called Voices for Bass has confirmed that it is looking to recruit an independent community-endorsed candidate. The group will hold a “Democracy Sausage” community get-together at the Tooradin Beach Reserve BBQ area on November 22 at 1pm.
The Liberal Party is yet to announce its candidate. The Post asked Aaron Brown, the Liberal candidate in 2022, if he would be seeking the party pre-selection again but did not receive a response by deadline.
Current Bass Coast Mayor Rochelle Halstead, mooted as the next Liberal candidate, said she would not be standing.
“I’ve loved my role as mayor and being involved in the local government sector where I get to work closely with community. I’m part of setting the plans and witnessing the progress from start to finish.”
Bass Coast Deputy Mayor Brett Tessari, the National candidate at the 2022 election, said he would not be standing this time round.
“I had my chance and I missed it. I won’t be standing again. I’m planning on living a happy life. Victorian politics is in a world of hurt at the moment.”
A Greens spokesman said the party was close to announcing a candidate for Bass.
A new group called Voices for Bass has confirmed that it is looking to recruit an independent community-endorsed candidate. The group will hold a “Democracy Sausage” community get-together at the Tooradin Beach Reserve BBQ area on November 22 at 1pm.
The Liberal Party is yet to announce its candidate. The Post asked Aaron Brown, the Liberal candidate in 2022, if he would be seeking the party pre-selection again but did not receive a response by deadline.
Current Bass Coast Mayor Rochelle Halstead, mooted as the next Liberal candidate, said she would not be standing.
“I’ve loved my role as mayor and being involved in the local government sector where I get to work closely with community. I’m part of setting the plans and witnessing the progress from start to finish.”
Bass Coast Deputy Mayor Brett Tessari, the National candidate at the 2022 election, said he would not be standing this time round.
“I had my chance and I missed it. I won’t be standing again. I’m planning on living a happy life. Victorian politics is in a world of hurt at the moment.”
A Greens spokesman said the party was close to announcing a candidate for Bass.