Coalition talks up chances of tackling Labor safe seat of Bendigo

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Central Victoria’s electorate of Bendigo has been considered a Labor safe seat for more than a decade. Lisa Chesters has held the seat since 2013, but this election is facing competition from Nationals candidate Andrew Lethlean.

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00:00For the past 12 years, Bendigo Labor MP Lisa Chesters has held on to the seat of Bendigo,

00:07growing her margin to 11.2%.

00:10Now for the first time since 2013, she's facing serious competition.

00:16You can't drive more than a few blocks around Bendigo

00:19without seeing the face of Nationals candidate Andrew Lethley.

00:23The publican had little interest in politics until he decided to run last year

00:27and the party has thrown a lot of money behind him,

00:30with a large advertising campaign and an estimated spend of a million dollars.

00:34He's based the majority of his campaign on election promises around initiatives to tackle crime,

00:40funds for sports clubs and roads, saying the region has been left behind by Labor.

00:45Crime has been a hot topic in Bendigo where there have been protests from residents

00:49fed up with an increase in crime outside the state.

00:53Bendigo East MP Jacinta Allen's office, who is also the Victorian Premier.

00:57Although there has been controversy this week after Mr Lethley was found to have forgotten

01:02to pay his hospitality venue's liquor licence this month, operating without it for 10 days.

01:08Mr Lethley said it was an administrative error that he's taken full responsibility for.

01:13The Labor Party has admitted it's feeling the pressure this election

01:17and expects a close outcome on Saturday.

01:20Although polls are showing Labor is still likely to retain the seat.

01:24debate at thespot.com

01:28ela day

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