Eltham

- Held by: Steve Herbert – Australian Labor Party
- Since: 2002
- Swing at 2010 election: 5.7% to Liberal
- Redistribution details: The district contains the suburbs of Briar Hill, Eltham, Eltham North, Lower Plenty and Montmorency, as well as parts of Diamond Creek, Eltham, Greensborough, Kangaroo Ground, Research, St Helena and Watsons Creek.
- Size of electorate: 40 sq. Km
KEY COMMENTS: Current MP Steve Herbert has announced he will be moving up to the Legislative Assembly following this election, making room for a new candidate. With numerous schools in the area, education and funding for state schools is high on the agenda. Public transport and infrastructure issues also remain at the forefront, with strong local interest in improving the Hurstbridge Line and upgrading Bolton Street.
Electorate profile
Situated on the reaches of the Yarra River 20 kilometres north-east of the city, Eltham is a retreat for nature lovers and artists.
It is considered to be one of Victoria’s green wedge localities due to its abundant bushland and low levels of development. Reserves and parks are a feature of the electorate, with picturesque walks along the Yarra and Plenty Rivers. It is home to the 1930s artists’ colony, Montsalvat.
The demographic is primarily families and couples in an older or middle-aged bracket.
Candidate profiles
VICKY WARD
AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY
Vicky Ward is relishing the opportunity to deliver her vision for the Eltham electorate.
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STEVEN BRIFFA
LIBERAL
Change is coming to the electorate of Eltham … Or maybe not. Can Steven Briffa make a difference?
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LIEZL SHNOOKAL
AUSTRALIAN GREENS
Proudly Green, Liezl Shnookal thrives on community action.
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MICHAEL JANSON
AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIANS
Michael Janson’s supposedly ‘Christian values’ lightly disguise a set of beliefs that would meet any definition of bigotry and that border on old-fashioned eugenics.
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Eltham news
Candidate says Islamic marriages lead to handicapped children
A candidate for the Australian Christians party says that the tradition of inter-family marriage, common in some Islamic cultures, has resulted in handicapped children being supported by Australian tax payers.
read moreStaffing debate raises heat at Eltham Fire Station
Questions are being asked about the Eltham CFA’s preparedness for Victoria’s upcoming bushfire season. Susannah Woolley investigates.
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