General News
13 August, 2022
Bernard to contest November poll
ARARAT resident Bernard Quince has announced his intention to run as an independent candidate in November’s election, but admits he can’t win.
ARARAT resident Bernard Quince has announced his intention to run as an independent candidate in November’s election, but admits he can’t win.
Mr Quince – a former school teacher and passionate regular letter writer to the Advocate – says he has a simple reason for standing as a candidate in the Ripon electorate.
“I know I won't win. I can't win. I don't have a budget, a following or policies. Hell, I don't even have faith in myself.
“But if I don't stand, I can't criticise others for not standing,” he said.
“An election is not about winning or losing. This is where democracy has been corrupted. An election is about a population choosing the best candidate to serve them.
“Over the last few years we’ve seen all of these movements pop up. The anti-vaxers, the BLMs, the sovereign citizens and I figure if I’m going to be calling them out I’ve got to be doing it from a position where as a nobody I can put in my $200 and be on the front line,” he said.
The Ripon electorate is set to face another hotly contested election in November, with boundary changes making it a notional Labor seat.
Mr Quince said his preferences could be crucial to the outcome.
“I don’t think we are well represented. Go back to Joe Helper and now Louise Staley, they’re about representing their party ahead of their electorates,” Mr Quince said.
“I would like to encourage 50 other independents to stand, we all go for 2% each and throw the two coalitions out,” he said.
“I know I am doing the right thing.”
According to the Victorian Electoral Commission, the redrawn Ripon electorate is a Labor seat with a 2.8% margin.
Mr Quince is the third candidate to emerge for November’s election behind incumbent Louise Staley and Labor’s Martha Haylett.