Ken Jasper doesn't want to see Rutherglen in the Benambra electorate.
RUTHERGLEN would move out of Tim McCurdy’s Murray Valley electorates if the major parties have any say.
Labor, Liberal and Nationals all want the town shifted to Bill Tilley’s seat of Benambra.
The parties’ proposals are outlined in submissions to the Victorian Electoral Boundaries Commission, which is expected to finalise new boundaries for electorates later this year.
The electorates of Benambra, Murray Valley and Bill Sykes’ Benalla are all “under quota” — a nominal figure of voters aimed at providing broadly even representation statewide.
The Greens argue Wangaratta should be the base for an electorate that would also consume Alpine shire and retain parts of the Moira shire, in particular Yarrawonga.
Neither Labor, Liberals nor Nationals endorse a new electorate.
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But all agree the three electorates must grow and Rutherglen must shift to Benambra, while Benalla needs to extend further southwards towards Melbourne.
Labor says Alpine shire, including the snow resorts, should be part of the Benambra electorate held by Liberal Bill Tilley instead of being in Benalla.
The Nationals say it should be part of Murray Valley and argue there is a community of interest between the Ovens Valley towns and the district business centre of Wangaratta.
Myrtleford and Bright related to Wangaratta through links such as commerce and business, local press media and geographic links such as the Ovens River and the Great Alpine Road, the Nationals said.
The Greens say placing Rutherglen in Benambra would see it cover all the Wodonga, Towong and Indigo communities.