Election feature: Brett Tessari – The Nationals

Candidate statement:

"I am born and bred in Wonthaggi, have lived here for 53 years, third generation Bass Coast resident and proud of it. Married to Leanne for 26 years and have three adult children.

I have been putting my hand up to do my bit for the community since my 20s, I haven’t just shown up suddenly to campaign for this role. I have been heavily involved in the community all my life. In football as a player then on committee, coach and President for six years before being elected to council where I spent three years as Mayor. I am a member of Rotary as well as several board roles.

I look back on some of the things I have done to support different organisations with pride whether it be running to raise $45,000 for our local Ambulances, jumping off the Inverloch Jetty in a green tutu to help raise funds for a local ballet club or coordinating the build of a viewing pod for Kirrak House during our lockdowns so family could see elderly loved ones.

Why do I think I am the right person to be your representative in State Parliament?

I have had a chance to think about this and I believe I am a fighter, I fight for my community, for their wants and needs, I also think I can get the job done, be heard in Parliament and not just pushed to the side. I am also not afraid to push back against my party if it is the right thing to do for my community.

The Nationals have committed to building stage two and three of the Wonthaggi Hospital, as well as the Phillip Island Community Hospital, the long-awaited Phillip Island Aquatics, $10 million towards the Vietnam Veterans Museum and $350,000 to the PIFNC extension.

We also know the difficulties with the cost of living at the moment which we have announced a range of options to ease the burden including free school lunches for school kids, money off water bills, cheaper public transport, sports participation vouchers to name a few. Our $10 billion to try and salvage what is left of our crumbling roads is there directly as a result of listening to the concerns of everyone right across the whole of the state.

I am also very passionate about the Westernport Woodlands and am proud of the fact the Nationals have come out and said they would put a moratorium on any new or extensions of sand extraction licences until after the Distinctive Area and Landscape is finally finalised which was announced before the last election and we are still waiting.

There are so many concerns facing us all at the moment I have only touched on a few but it is time for a change. If you’re disgruntled with the normal choices then I am a fresh alternative. The Nationals haven’t run a candidate here since 2006, I am hoping come November 26 you will Vote 1 for Brett Tessari."