Albert Park Primary School could be home to Victoria’s most unique campaigner: Foster Angus, a Pomeranian trying to sway votes for his Liberal candidate owner.
“Foster is such a vote winner, so many people are taking selfies with him,” says his owner and Liberal hopeful for Albert Park, Lauren Sherson.
Foster the mascot for Liberal candidate for Albert Park Lauren Sherson at Albert Park Primary School polling station.Credit:Paul Jeffers
Aside from her rampant pup diplomacy, Sherson said she’s been wooing votes by occasionally getting “on the beers with the locals” and zeroing in on policy.
“I’ve got 13 local policies for this area, whereas other parties have more statewide policies that are too broad for the community,” she added.
A hot button issue she has promised to resolve is pop-up bike lanes, calling them “a disaster”.
Kathleen Kiernan, 61, was unmoved by any singular candidate, so took pamphlets and how to vote cards from all of them.
“I don’t know who I’ll vote for,” she says.”I’m leaning towards the independent. I just don’t like to see so much power held in one party.”
Independent Georgie Dragwidge said she was confident about getting a “good result”, after being preferred second by all of her major challengers.
Independent candidate for Albert Park Georgie Dragwidge at Port Melbourne Primary School.Credit:Paul Jeffers
“All major parties endorsing me is a sign that they think I’m good for the area.”
However, Greens hopeful Kim Samiotis – who did preference the independent second – was less impressed.
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“Georgie is wishy-washy,” she said. “I understand the motivation for not preferencing anyone, but I don’t think it’s the right [choice] now- I think voters need to know where you stand”.
Samiotis said she believed the Greens were in a strong position to win the seat, saying feedback from voters had focused on the need for more action on environmental concerns.
“People in favor of also integrity measures,” she said. “Every voter engagement that I have had today seems to turn into a conversation.”