By Parker McKenzie
Aaron Violi knows he has big shoes to fill if he is elected to replace the venerated Tony Smith as member for Casey at the 2022 federal election.
The pressure doesn’t seem to bother him, instead he seems to enjoy it.
The local businessman and third generation Casey resident beat a crowded field of contenders to become the candidate for Casey when the widely respected former Speaker of the House retires from politics at the next federal election.
Mr Violi said Mr Smith is a friend and a mentor, and the pair holds similar political philosophies.
“The two areas Tony and I are most aligned is the view that the first and primary responsibility of a member of parliament is to represent and deliver for their local communities,” he said.
“The second is the importance of integrity in politics and that all members of parliament are custodians of democracy.”
After convincing the majority of the party members that he was the right person to take the Liberal party forward, his next task is convincing the people of Casey.
Mr Violi said his aim if elected is to deliver “tangible outcomes for the residents, families, small businesses and communities of Casey” after a tough 18 months of Covid lockdowns and storms.
“Every town and community right across Casey have different challenges and needs and a local member of parliament needs to be available and out in every town and community engaging with community groups, businesses and residents to understand their challenges and ideas to improve their community,” he said.
“I have spent my life involved in a variety of community groups in Casey including the Lilydale Township Action Group, Yarra Valley Railway as well as various local sporting clubs and if successful in being elected as the representative of Casey I would always be available and accessible to the community.”
The outer eastern seat has been held by the Liberal party since 1984 and was won by Mr Smith by a margin of 9.28 per cent at the 2019 federal election.
Mr Violi said one area he is passionate about is ensuring there are adequate resources for mental health support in the electorate.
“I am proud that the Morrison government and Tony Smith delivered $4.5 million in funding to establish an integrated Youth Health Hub in Casey and I will be working to deliver ever more funding for mental health resources,” Mr Violi said.
“It is also important to recognise the crucial role community organisations such as Men’s Sheds, sporting clubs, community houses and many more organisations play in improving people’s mental health.
“Ensuring they have the best possible facilities to make people feel welcome and comfortable will be a focus of mine.”
Labor has named Bill Brindle, who lost to Mr Smith in the 2019 election, as their candidate.
A number of other independent and party aligned candidates are expected to contest the election as well.
The 2022 federal election will be held on or before 21 May.
