The ballot draw for the Aston by-election has provided a major boost to Liberal candidate Roshena Campbell – and fringe party candidate Owen Miller.
The Australian Electoral Commission’s draw to determine the order of names candidates will appear in on ballot papers for voting in the April 1 by-election took place about 12pm on Friday.
The most coveted spot for ballot papers for the House of Representatives is number one because it’s the first name voters see.
Aston Liberal candidate Roshena Campbell has secured second place on the ballot for the April 1 by-election. Picture NCA NewsWire / Aaron Francis
This was awarded to Fusion Party candidate Owen Miller.
Liberal party candidate Roshena Campbell secured the second spot on the ballot, followed by Greens candidate Angelica Di Camillo, Labor’s Mary Doyle and “libertarian independent” Maya Tesa.
The Aston by-election was triggered by the sudden resignation of long-time sitting MP and former Liberal cabinet minister Alan Tudge last month.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese launched Mary Doyle’s campaign for Aston. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Luis Ascui
The Liberals hold Aston on a narrow margin of just 2.8 per cent but it had been a safe seat before last year’s federal election, when Ms Doyle ran against Mr Tudge and whittled the margin down from 10.1 per cent.
Ms Doyle is contesting the seat again against Roshena Campbell, a barrister, Melbourne city councillor and columnist, who was selected as the Liberal candidate last month.
More to come.