...and then there's Claude

The Liberal Party in Moreland

Before discussing the Liberal Party's political fortunes in Moreland, it is worthwhile outlining the environment in which they must contest elections.

Locally, Moreland City Council is dominated by Labor with some Green and independent representation. It is a widely held opinion in Moreland that any Liberal-leaning candidate for Moreland Council must nominate as an independent or face certain defeat.

At the state level, the Liberals in the past have garnered votes in Brunswick through being the only viable alternative to Labor. But the rise of the Greens has seen the Liberals move back into the pack, and in the 2006 state election, they were gracious enough to provide a decent contest by passing their preferences to The Greens.

Federally, the Division of Wills falls almost exactly within the City of Moreland. Wills was all-Australian legend and former PM Bob Hawke's seat, and before that ALP stalwart Gordon Bryant held the seat for 25 years. The only non-ALP candidate to achieve office in Moreland was VFL champion, union heavyweight, and social justice campaigner Phil Cleary.

Conclusion: the City of Moreland is No Person's Land for the Liberal Party. But then, there is no person like Claude Tomisich.

Who is Claude Tomisich?

The perennial Liberal Party candidate for Pascoe Vale and Wills!

What a champ. Although he has only cropped up since the 2006 state election, Mr Tomisich has contested both state and federal elections for the Liberal Party, and most likely will continue to do so. And M.Shriek says that's a Good Thing.

Why? Here's why:

First of all, Mr Tomisich is a secondary school teacher by trade, and M.Shriek endorses teachers. True, he hasn't been rated too highly by his students, but then only two of them bothered to rate him at all. But M.Shriek loves this assessment from one of his former pupils: 'as exciting as the abc channel!'.

Secondly, Mr Tomisich lifts weights. And not just the piddly little weights people jog around with in parks. No, Mr Tomisich is a member of the Victorian Weightlifting Association.

Thirdly, even though he is a secondary school teacher AND a weightlifter, Mr Tomisich has been known to take on - and be defeated by - teenage boys in hand-to-hand combat. It is difficult to quantify the admiration M.Shriek holds for weightlifting teachers who are licked by 14 year olds, and then nominate for election, but readers (and Mr Tomisich) should rest assured it is larger than astronomical.

Performance to date

To date, Mr Tomisich's political performances have been sub-par. He stood as the Liberal candidate for Pascoe Vale in the 2006 state elections, and was soundly thumped by Christine Campbell - although he did poll twice as well as The Greens. He also stood as the Liberal candidate for Wills in the 2007 federal election, where he polled 24.5% of the primary vote, which was 2nd best, but still less than half of the Kelvinator's whopping 56.9%. More worryingly for the Liberal Party, Mr Tomisich swing of -3.6% was appears largely redistributed among Labor (+1.7%) and The Greens (+1.5%).

Happily for those of us who like a good dose of political melodrama, Mr Tomisich has not given up. On the contrary, M.Shriek understands Mr Tomisich will forge ahead with his mission. How does M.Shriek know this?

From this fabulous documentary of Mr Tomisich's political career and aspirations:



Submitted into this years Blue Dandenongs Young Film Makers Festival, ...and then there's Claude is a heart-warming (but maybe not vote-garnering) exploration of the touchingly dysfunctional life of Claude Tomisich. Huge plaudits to Guiseppe Pantaleo for producing one of the cultural gems of hyperlocal politics. M.Shriek will seriously consider giving Mr Tomisich a vote next time he nominates. Somebody has to, or we will lose him forever.

So what to make of the Liberal Party's prospects in Moreland? What do you think? Can they pose a viable alternative to Labor at state and federal level?