News / Federal Election
PM pops into Wills for short campaign stop
Candidate nominations close on Thursday
Brunswick Voice
PRIME Minister Anthony Albanese made a flying election campaign stop in Wills last week, appearing alongside incumbent MP Peter Khalil as he sought to promote changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
Flanked by Health Minister Mark Butler, Albanese visited the Bell Street Pharmacy in Pascoe Vale South last Thursday, where he bought a tube of toothpaste and enjoyed a Greek coffee made by owner George Spyropoulos.
The pharmacy, near the corner of Greenwood Street on the northern side of Bell Street, served as a backdrop for a media conference and photo opportunity following recent improvements to the PBS announced in March.
The government has committed an extra $689 million to the PBS to bring the cost oa a script for non-concession holders down to to $25 from $31.60 from January 1 next year.
The government says four out of five PBS medicines will become cheaper because of its investment. It means subsidised medicines will be at their lowest cost since 2004.
Scripts for concession and pension card holders will remain frozen at $7.70. The Coalition has matched the policy.
For Khalil, the flying visit by the Prime Minister was an opportunity to bring some extra firepower to his battle to keep the seat in Labor’s hands, along with basking in the afterglow of Albanese’s revived fortunes in opinion polls in the first week of the campaign.
The Greens’ Samantha Ratnam is clipping at Khalil’s heels with her supporters out in force doorknocking in the electorate over the weekend.
Given the fight Labor faces in several other outer suburban Melbourne seats, last week’s visit is most likely the only time we will see Albanese in Wills before election day on May 3.
Grant to Pontian community
Khalil was in Brunswick on Sunday to announce a $49,500 grant to the Central Pontian Association to install an elevator at its Pontiaki Estia community centre in Sydney Road.
The elevator will improve access for people with mobility needs to the function centre on the first floor of the building, above Dejour Jeans.
Pontiaki Estia was established in 1976 by Greek-speaking migrants from the Pontos region of modern day Turkey.
Nominations close on Thursday
Candidates have until midday on Thursday to lodge their nominations for this year’s election.
Brunswick Voice is aware of five candidates for Wills: Khalil, Ratnam, Sue Bolton of Socialist Alliance, Fusion Party’s Owen Miller and the Liberal Party’s Jeff Kidney.
The declaration of nominations and the order in which they will appear on ballot papers will be made at midday on Friday, and early voting will begin on Tuesday, April 22.
Candidate forum set for Coburg
Four of the five known candidates have agreed to participate in a forum hosted by the Coburg High School Council on April 22.
The forum will focus on public education funding and community infrastructure in our area, with questions provided from Coburg High School students and community.
Khalil, Ratnam, Miller and Bolton have all confirmed their attendance.
Last month, Khalil caused a minor stir when he was unable to attend a climate forum in Coburg. The Coburg High candidate forum will be held at Coburg Uniting Church, 19 Victoria Street, Coburg, at 6pm on April 22.
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