Former radio journalist Andrew Kilmartin has been pre-selected as the Liberal candidate for the seat of Buninyong at November’s state election.
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The 31-year-old grew up in Haddon just outside of Ballarat and attended Ballarat and Clarendon College. In recent years he has worked as a staffer for Ripon MP Louise Staley.
The selection represents a changing of the guard for Ballarat’s Liberal Party, after 30-year-old North Ward councillor Amy Johnson was selected to contest the seat of Wendouree.
Mr Kilmartin said “we’ve had 19 years of Labor in Ballarat and it’s time for change”.
“This is the new generation of the Liberals in Ballarat; it’s the youngest team we’ve had for a long time,” Mr Kilmartin said. “It’s gives us an ability to reach out to voters on different levels.”
Among the major issues Mr Kilmartin will campaign on is the state of regional and rural roads throughout the electorate, as well as rising electricity prices.
He also plans to champion the Liberal Party’s tough on crime stance, which has been a feature so far in the Matthew Guy-led campaign.
His main opposition will come from Labor candidate Michaela Settle after incumbent MP Geoff Howard announced he would not recontest the seat he has held since 1999.
