by Bonnie Collings
Independent candidate for Monash Deb Leonard kicked off the final weeks of her campaign on Sunday with a campaign launch and community event at Logan Park, Warragul.
About 140 people attended Sunday's event, hearing from Ms Leonard, members of her campaign team and guest speaker political scientist Ann Capling.
Opening the event, Dr Capling spoke about her time as campaign manager for Monique Ryan during the 2022 election, emphasising the importance of volunteers and conversations within the community during an independent campaign.
Referencing the namesake of the electorate, General Sir John Monash, Dr Capling likened the competition between independent candidates and major parties to a military battle.
"The major parties we know have their air support," Dr Capling said.
"They spend millions on capturing the airways, on their huge signs on their television ads on their radio ads, all funded in part with the support of donors from the big fossil fuel companies, donors from the gambling industry."
"But Deb's campaign has the infantry, it's all of us here. That's the community of believers who want to see politics done differently."
Dr Capling indicated Monash was on "the knife edge" and voters in Warragul and Drouin could make or break Ms Leonard's chances at the polls.
"Here in Warragul and Drouin, I think this is where the election is going to be lost or won," Dr Capling said.
"We know that Deb is well ahead on the Bass Coast, that was her heartland last time around. Warragul and Drouin are the last hurrah, the last chance to swing those last few hundred votes."
Speaking about her policies and priorities, Ms Leonard said she would foster open lines of communication with the community.
"I won't be the politician that you don't see again until eight weeks out from the next election," Ms Leonard said.
"I will be here with you in the community. I want to hear your issues as they come up and be able to get on top of them as they come up."
"I'll have regular town hall meetings in different parts of the electorate so that I can meet with the community, tell them about what I've been up to, talk about what issues are coming up and hear from them about what challenges they're facing," she said.
Ms Leonard also announced the opening of a campaign hub in Warragul.
"This will be another place for voters and community members to come and find out about the campaign and chat to me, meet me and just learn how we can achieve better representation," she said.
Ms Leonard noted that community concerns prevalent in the 2022 election, such as housing, cost of living and climate, remained major concerns for voters today.
"We were already on this downward spiral under the Liberal government and the Labor government hasn't done enough to turn it around either," she said,
"When you hear about politicians talking about getting Australia back on track, just have a think, who sent us off the track in the first place? We can't keep voting the same way and expect a different result. This election, our community is standing up and demanding better."
Over the past week Ms Leonard released policies on the cost of living, housing, funding for infrastructure, roads, NDIS, health and aged care, integrity in politics, environment and investment in regional economies.
Following the formal program, a group of volunteers went door-knocking across Warragul while Ms Leonard held a Q&A session.