STAWELL resident Maurice Billi believes climate change and mental health are the biggest issues that need addressing in the Wannon electorate.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Billi is the Labor Party's candidate for the federal election on Saturday.
He said he had been touring the electorate over the past few weeks
"It's been fantastic - in the past three weeks I've spent a lot of time at pre-polling centres," he said.
"Pre-polling centres have been open in Colac and Warrnambool for a couple of weeks and this week I've been in Portland, Hamilton and Ararat."
Mr Billi said there was a range of issues the people in the electorate wanted addressed.
"Early on in the campaign, there was a lot of people talking about the state of roads in our community," he said.
"People were also concerned about the cost of living, energy prices and connectivity.
"People want fast reliable internet, particularly farmers - many people spoke about the challenges they have faced when trying to do business online."
Mr Billi said as the campaign went on, climate change became a hot topic.
"I noticed a shift in the conversation and the issue of climate change was something that was coming up more and more," he said.
"Mental health and access to services in regional and rural areas was also an issue, particularly for young people.
"Penalty rates and wages was another thing people were talking about."
Mr Billi said there was a number of key issues he would address if elected on Saturday, such as childcare, cancer services and renewable energy.
He said he wanted to run for the election because he wanted to be a voice for people.
"I've been working in health and education for many years and I often worked with people who felt like their voice was never heard," he said.
"I've done a lot of advocacy work in spaces such as family violence, mental health, Indigenous affairs and young people and I thought I would see if I could make a different on the other side."
Mr Billi said he had loved campaigning for the election.
"It's been a privilege and honour to get out and talk to people," he said.
"I personally think Wannon has got so many things to offer, especially opportunities around tourism and agriculture.
"I want to see Wannon continue to grow."