Search is on for independent candidate

Voices of Bass (VOB), a recently formed community group, is on the search for a local community member to run as an independent candidate in the 2026 Victorian State election.

VOB formed in November 2025, from a growing cohort of community members that are dissatisfied with the current state of politics.

"Labor is on the nose across regional Victoria," said a VOB spokesperson.

"With the introduction of the Emergency Services Levy, cuts to Fisheries funding and our broken down roads, people are asking; why should they receive our vote?

"Unfortunately, the Victorian Liberal party is in a state of disrepair with infighting and a lack of credible policy, and does not in any way offer a suitable alternative."

VOB has been out talking to community members across the Bass electorate, and said the feedback they receive confirms that people are fed up with the two-party system.

"There is definitely a strong appetite for a community focused independent that will put us first over party politics and political ambition," the spokesperson says.

"We want a representative who is pragmatic and people oriented. Someone who acts with integrity and transparency. We are not seeing this from party politicians."

Following the success of Voices of Monash, who found Deb Leonard to run as an independent in the 2022 and 2025 Federal elections for Monash, VOB says that even if they don't win on the day an independent can shake things up, bring attention to issues that actually matter to locals, and procure promises from the major parties that would not have otherwise been made.

The 2025 election saw several funding commitments including the Fish Creek Football Netball Club, Woorayl Lodge Aged Care in Leongatha and the Drouin bypass - all issues that Leonard campaigned on that have previously been ignored by the parties.

VOB hopes to achieve similar commitments by supporting an independent to "shake things up".

However, they also say an independent has a good chance of winning the seat, with political data analysist Brent Hodgson confirming voting trends in Bass suggest an independent could win the seat.

Bass was one of the most marginal electorates at the last Victorian election, with Labor's Jordan Crugnale taking the win by only 204 votes.

With both major parties on extremely low primary votes, the community group believe the seat is ripe for the taking by an independent contender.

"Local issues and community consultation are key," said VOB, who have been holding a number of "listening posts" across the electorate to raise awareness and gather feedback from the community about what is important to them.

The group says the main issues being raised in Bass are housing, coastal erosion, and the Emergency Services Levy.

They said they welcome further feedback from Bass voters wanting to have their say.

To join VOB, provide feedback, and find out more, visit voicesofbass.com.au or email info@voicesofbass.com.au