Mr Tilley’s campaign headquarters in Stanley Street were officially opened by shadow treasurer Michael O’Brien with the pair being elected to the Victorian parliament in the same year, 2006.

Two independents, Jenny O’Connor and Jacqui Hawkins, are challenging Mr Tilley in the state election to be held on November 24.

Ms O’Connor is buoyed by the Wentworth byelection in which independent Dr Kerryn Phelps is poised to win the seat previously held by former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on top of the achievements Shepparton independent Suzanna Sheed has from one term in office.

“I was in a local pub last night and not one person didn’t come up and say ‘we need to change things, we want an independent, we’re behind you’,” Ms O’Connor said.

“They were tradies, they were mums just having dinner and I was really surprised at the level of interest in what happened in Wentworth and how people were saying ‘we can do that in Benambra’.”

Mr Tilley said Wentworth was a federally-focused contest and the only way to truly deliver for Benambra voters was as part of a Coalition government.

“I may not agree with some of the things (independents) say and some of the things they may do,” he said.

“But what I will absolutely defend is their right to have their say.

“Being able to get your feet under the table as part of a team that forms government is delivering.

“They can say a lot of things, but they can’t deliver.”

Mr O’Brien, who holds the safe Liberal seat of Malvern, said Mr Tilley was a safer bet than an independent due to his “vision, experience and commitment”.

“In Victoria we’ve seen independents prop up Labor governments,” he said.

“It happened in 1999 and federally we’ve seen independents prop up a Labor government with (Tony) Windsor and (Rob) Oakeshott.

“The danger is a vote for an independent may well be a vote for Daniel Andrews and his Melbourne-centric Labor government.”

Mr Tilley said his No.1 priority was fixing the embattled North-East rail service.

“We will deliver new rolling stock by 2021 if we’re given the privilege of forming government,” he said.

A strong turnout of Benambra Liberals attended the campaign launch along with party-faithful from Albury.

Justin Clancy, a preselection contender to replace retiring Greg Aplin, was among the interstate visitors.