John Williams, who previously contested the federal seat of Indi for Labor in 2004 and the Indigo Council election last year, was officially endorsed as the party’s candidate this week.

He says he has a year to sell his message.

“Certainly I bring to the table a raft of experience and exposure to some of the most important sectors in our community,” Mr Williams said.

“But it is 53 weeks to the election and I need to get out there and meet more people, reinforce what has been done in this electorate.

“Unlike 2006, I have a year rather than a couple of months to campaign so that is an advantage and I would hope the electioneering isn’t marred by some of the dirt that was thrown at the Labor candidate (Lisa Mahood) three years ago.”

But the businessman admits he faces a major challenge.

“It is easy to say that Benambra is a safe seat and out of reach of Labor but that is not the way I’m looking at it,” he said.

“We need to fly the flag, highlight what the Bracks and Brumby governments have done for the electorate.

“It is unfair to assume that the seat has been forgotten — far from it; we have the rail bypass, the merger of the health services and the money committed to education as prime examples of what this Government has done, is doing.”

Mr Williams, 44, runs a seniors’ home help franchise and is a consultant for sales and customer service training.

He also is chairman of Beechworth Health, the Wodonga Senior Secondary College school council and former chairman of the Rural Housing Network board.

He was the only preselection candidate for the seat.

Mr Williams downplayed weekend polls suggesting the Government’s water policy was costing it country votes.

“Water is a vital issue and everyone has a right to be concerned but the Brumby Government has shown leadership by putting things on the ground, planning for the future,” he said.

Those same polls also pointed to a “near hopelessness” among voters with Opposition Leader Ted Baillieau.

Sitting Liberal Bill Tilley became that party’s candidate for the seat two months ago.