EX-WARRNAMBOOL mayor Mike Neoh is running as an independent candidate for the South West Coast in the November state election.
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The move is expected to make preferences gold in the upcoming poll and has the potential to marginalise the blue riband Liberal seat currently held by Roma Britnell.
But, Mr Neoh, 53, says he is not running to just have an influence - he wants to win.
He said voters were disenchanted with the two major parties with an independent winning the recent Wagga Wagga by-election.
"People are sick of the infighting and bickering from both sides of politics," he said.
"It's about timing, this is a unique opportunity for an independent candidate in South West Coast.
"The major parties have not learnt lessons, leadership issues have crippled both sides of politics and community perception is of self-interest.
"The community has had a gut full. All I'm asking is for the people of South West Coast to consider an independent candidate - let's actually get something done."
Mr Neoh, a married father, was first elected to Warrnambool City Council in 2005 and has served five terms as mayor.
"I made the conscious decision to start early. I didn't want to be a 70-year-old sitting at the council table half asleep," he said.
He has previously been aligned with the Liberal and Nationals parties.
Mr Neoh said his experience led him to his current decision to stand.
"It's something that has built up,” he said. “I understand how the major parties work and I don't think that system is working for the best interests of everyone in the community," he said.
"That's my focus. If elected I will work for the community without the distraction of party politics."
Mr Neoh's wish list includes investment in South West Healthcare and the Warrnambool to Melbourne rail service as well as schools and infrastructure.
"You ask the major parties their priorities in the south-west and we get soft commitments on conditions of 'if elected'," he said.
"We all want specifics. My preferences will be treated like gold on behalf of my supporters and I want to deal with major party leaders, not candidates.
"My priorities are the same as everyone else in the pub, school and workplace. At present we simply don't get our share."
Mr Neoh said there had been a lack of investment in south-west infrastructure.
"Many schools are in the same conditions they were when I went to school. They are full of asbestos and not up to standard," he said.
"The cost of living is just growing. There's a huge debate over renewables or clean older-style energy but most people just want something that's affordable and pretty clean.
"Keeping Keppel Prince at Portland is a priority with the uncertainty of the Portland smelter."
The candidate said the State Government was spending millions of dollars at Docklands backing the AFL headquarters but facilities at Reid Oval, Port Fairy, Koroit and North Warrnambool were lagging far behind.
"Docklands includes a gala ballroom. You have to be kidding me," Mr Neoh said.
"Voters are beginning to understand they have a choice at the polling booth. I'm standing as the 'Choice For Change'," he said.
"Look at Sarah Henderson, who was so against live sheep exports, and Penny Wong in the same sex marriage debate. They both had to vote along party lines," he said.
Mr Neoh said if elected he would vote on merit, for what the community wanted, and would aim to get full funding for projects, not stages.
He also called for sections of the Princes Highway to be duplicated, starting with Warrnambool to Port Fairy because it was so busy and the Warrnambool to Terang stretch due to the lack of passing opportunities.
"It's not rocket science - I'm about what people want," he said.
"Wouldn't it be great to have a graduate loan scheme like South Australia to help young people get into the housing market, a government sponsored banking system."
Mr Neoh said a number of people had asked him to run as an independent to provide real choice.
"As an independent, regardless of the government of the day, I will promote the community’s priorities regardless of the colour of the party in government," he said.
"It will be extremely difficult to campaign against the might of the major parties, so I am appealing to the community to come forward as volunteers on polling day if they want to support a ‘Choice For Change’.
"If anyone can spare an hour or two to volunteer they can be part of a movement to provide that ‘Choice for Change’.”