With the electorate of Bass one of a handful of seats considered "must win" for the Liberal Party, ABC Gippsland's breakfast show with Mim Hook broadcast live from Wonthaggi this morning.
Candidates including Jordan Crugnale, Brett Tessari, Callum Bugbird and Meg Edwards joined Mim at the mic, as well as local identities and musicians.
I was invited down as well, to discuss how the battle for the seat had been playing out, particularly at this end of the electorate.
With new boundaries for Bass since the 2018 election, ABC election analyst Antony Green predicts a Liberal win, with a wafer-thin margin of 0.7 per cent.
But as recent elections have shown, polls can get it wrong, and the only poll that really matters is the one where you cast your vote.
With a margin this slim, every vote matters.
Make sure you get down and vote for the candidate you think will best represent this electorate. And remember, you don't have to follow the preferences marked out on candidate "how to vote" leaflets. Number the candidates in the order you prefer ... because preferences could very well decide the outcome.
While we're talking preferences, this election, there are three candidates in Bass - Labour DLP, Family First and Freedom Party - who have not participated in the campaign in any way. They haven't released a campaign statement. They didn't come to the Island Voice candidates evening, they don't respond to requests for interviews, or offers to be part of an election feature. Some don't even have a photograph. That these candidates are standing in this seat has everything to do with preferences, and nothing to do with local issues.
We have genuine local candidates who want to do the very best for the community and I applaud them for standing. But do people who don't even bother showing up deserve our vote? Unfortunately to be valid, we do have to include them when we vote. I get that politics is a numbers game, but are these practically non-existent candidates good for democracy?
I firmly believe everyone is entitled to their political views and should vote accordingly, but if someone can't even be bothered showing up for the campaign, how sincere do you think they are about wanting to represent you?
There's two days left to do a pre-poll vote in Cowes at 44-46 Thompson Avenue or in Wonthaggi at the Senior Citizens Club.
On election day, polling booths for the island will be at Cowes Primary School, Newhaven Hall, Rhyll Hall and the San Remo Rec Centre.
Confused about voting?
The Victorian Electoral Commission website contains easy to follow instructions on how to fill your ballot papers.
The Lower House ballot lists the 10 candidates for the Bass area and you will need to number every box in order of your choice.
The Upper House ballot paper is the large one and can be confusing for many voters.
If you vote “above the line”, you select one party/group and preferences will be decided by the party you’ve selected. This is called a group ticket.
To see exactly how your preferences will be distributed, every group voting ticket is available on the VEC website and at voting centres.
Alternatively you can vote “below the line” but you must select a minimum of five candidates.
Still need help? Go to www.vec.vic.gov.au/voting/2022-state-election/how-to-fill-out-a-ballot-paper
Full details of opening dates and times for pre-election and election day voting at www.vec.vic.gov.au/voting/2022-state-election/voting-options-during-an-election
