The new political movement has secured party registration with the Victorian Electoral Commission only weeks before deadline, meaning the Port Fairy accountant does not have to run as an independent candidate.

The Moyne Shire mayor said his organisation was the first political party established solely to represent south-west Victoria.

“It’s a really solid, satisfying result to get 850 people or so on board,” Mr Purcell said.

“Becoming part of a political party isn’t high on most people’s agenda so I’ve got them to thank for getting this party off the ground. We’re making history in that we’re the first party to represent the Western District and nowhere else.”

The majority of those who signed up as Vote1 Local Jobs party members are from the Warrnambool, Port Fairy, Koroit and surrounding districts.

Mr Purcell said a minor party was highly likely to win the coveted fifth spot in the region’s upper house and he wanted to provide a “middle-of-the-road, sensible option”.

“We’re keen to provide a solid alternative. The Labor and Liberal parties always win four seats but the struggle to get the final spot and what we want to do is have a voice in the upper house that’s solely focused on our region.”

His party has already released an eight-point plan which Mr Purcell said was tailored to the needs of south-west Victoria. Party policy includes a “buy local” scheme for government, a roads repair package and the removal of payroll tax for regional business.

“People get sick of the negativity around politics whether it’s state or federal,” he said. 

“What we want to do is tackle the problems in our area and provide policies that will actually make a difference in the south-west, rather than Melbourne and the suburbs.”