After former premier Denis Napthine and ex-transport minister Terry Mulder quit their seats five weeks ago, we hoped for spirited campaigns that would capture the attention of voters and ensure the political spotlight was shining on the south-west. We have Melbourne Cup-like fields with 11 and eight candidates in each seat.

But Corangamite Shire mayor Chris O’Connor this week told the major parties and candidates in both electorates to lift their games, labelling the campaign “humdrum” and “boring”.

To him, the campaign has been a snore fest so far.

He rightly is urging candidates and parties to commit to funding upgrades of the Princes Highway west of Colac.

Will his call fall on deaf ears?

He clearly is challenging candidates to run with a major issue – one that is guaranteed to win votes.

Besides the state of our crumbling roads and lack of passing lanes on the Princes Highway, the biggest issues facing the region are: funding the second stage redevelopment of South West Healthcare’s Warrnambool hospital and securing a fourth daily train service between Warrnambool and Melbourne.

Outside of the Liberal Party’s commitment to fund the hospital, no other candidates have come to the party. All the major players are backing an extra train service.

While Cr O’Connor should be congratulated for challenging candidates to commit to such an important issue, it’s not like any of the candidates will be in a position to directly make good their promises. They will be in opposition or on the cross-benches. 

That’s not to say those in the race should give up. South-west voters expect and deserve a loud voice in parliament. It might be a slow start to the campaign but with pre-poll voting already open and about 1500 people lodging their votes, candidates can’t wait until the final days before poll day, October 31.

We need to know what each stand for now. Voters deserve nothing less.