A LIFE devoted to community service and a previous reassessment of what he stood for were key reasons Craig Coltman first decided to move into politics.
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After losing at the state election in 2010 to Sharon Knight by a margin of a little more than one per cent, Mr Coltman says this time he felt more comfortable in the candidacy role.
"I think Ballarat needs a strong voice, and a consistent voice to deliver what we need. I recognise, the more you put into life the more you get out of life," he said.
"Both for myself and Vicki (his wife), we had a personal tragedy a few years ago and that caused us to reassess our positions, what we stood for, what we wanted to leave behind.
"We both saw effectively a life devoted to community service was the course we wanted, to see, if you like, the remaining productive years of our life go down that course."
Mr Coltman said he grew up in a family which regularly discussed politics around the table, spurring on his interest in the field.
"It is not about the job, dare I say it, I know it is clichéd but it is about being able to actually make a real difference within the community," he said.
"I like to think if they (the community) see me in the street they stop and talk to me.
"That is the reason we are out door-knocking, to communicate the best we can with the community.
"I have to say I actually feel more comfortable as a candidate, it is very challenging, you put yourself out there and open yourself up to criticism, comment and contradiction.
"I am more comfortable in that space this time than I was last time around."
Mr Coltman is a board member of Ballarat Health Services and Pinarc Disability Support.
The changed borders of the seat compared to Ballarat West would not have much of an impact on the result, according to Mr Coltman who said a booming population meant the seats in the area were always changing.
"The one thing the community can always rely on me to always put Ballarat first and also be consistent in the decision making," he said.
"There is nothing that upsets people or business or industry more when you flip flop around looking for the populist route."
Craig Coltman answers our 10 questions
How should we make our community safer?
Well, if you went back I suppose three years when the Liberal Government was elected, we had as few as 50 police officers here in Ballarat, we have gone to a lot of trouble to double the police here in Ballarat.
Obviously we have invested in new police stations, there is a new police station in Ballarat North, of course, we have got the $9 million investment in the new police station in Ballarat West which will also become an emergency services hub.
That means there are more police officers here now on the beat and out in the divisional vans. I believe the community is feeling a lot safer because of that.
You combine that with more CCTV cameras in the nightclub district in Ballart and of course the PSOs in the precinct around the Ballarat train station. We have done a lot to invest in community safety here in Ballarat.
Should Civic Hall be restored or demolished?
Look I have never been in favour of demolishing the Civic Hall with an absence of a vision for that site.
The relocation of the VicRoads head office to that site creates the commercial opportunity of the site that so many people have been looking for. It is a very valuable and strategic piece of real estate in Ballarat. Now we have the best of both worlds. We can have the economic activity on the site and that frees the council up to do some adaptive re-use which means that facility can be returned to the community for community use.
What action should be taken on climate change?
Well I suppose that depends on your position on climate change. I think the critical thing for Victoria is that we have seen increased impost on families in regards to electrical bills, obviously all of our services. Plus we are seeing huge impost on industry, as far as their inputs are concerned.
Basically Victoria's competitive strength has always been underpinned by the La Trobe Valley and brown coal.
What I would like to see is a rational discussion about, I suppose, the cross subsidy that occurs between alternative energy, or sources of energy and brown coal generation to determine what is the appropriate level to see us return to a competitive position and of course underpinning all of that is removing the carbon tax.
Do you think same-sex marriage should be legal?
Yeah look I am very comfortable legalising same-sex marriage, but I suppose where I do have a concern is that it is not a state government's position to be dictating to congregations, to a church or to a religion that they must perform a same-sex marriage. I would leave that up to them, that is not an area for the state government to be involved.
But I am more than happy for same-sex couples to have the security and the same set of legal rights as heterosexual couples.
Do you think abortion should be legal and available to all women?
That was discussed back in 2008, the Liberal Party supported a conscience vote on the matter. That effectively outlined the parameters under which abortions can be performed.
As a committed Liberal I actually trust in individual women, individual couples and individual families to make the right decisions pertinent to their circumstances within that legislative framework.
What is the biggest infrastructure priority for Ballarat?
Look it is undoubtedly the Ballarat West Employment Zone – that will drive jobs. Now Labor talks about it, but we are going to build it, so that is absolutely critical.
You combine that with the relocation of VicRoads right into the heart of the city, 400-plus jobs, $40 million of extra economic activity per annum, that is a game changer for Ballarat.
Should tomato sauce be free with a meat pie?
That is a bit like the sausage sizzle question with free onions isn't it? I'd have to say it should be free and you know what, it's good business too.
The Beatles or Rolling Stones?
That is probably the hardest question you've asked me, I wouldn't want to have to make that choice but since you've put me on the spot I will have to go with the Beatles.
What's your favourite TV show?
The Gruen Transfer, I love the way those advertising gurus can cut through the spin and gee I get a good belly laugh out of it at the same time.
What's your favourite meal?
Fish, I love cooking and I am very happy when I am cooking and eating fish.