One Nation candidate Darren Hercus says his party does not want to act as a support vehicle for the Liberals in the Nepean by-election, instead positioning itself as a genuine contender while campaigning on cost of living, housing, crime and Rosebud Hospital.
During an interview with STPL News, Hercus said the party’s final preference position had not yet been determined, but made clear he did not see One Nation’s role as simply helping another conservative candidate get over the line.
We don’t want to be a support role. We want to be a genuine contender.
“Our preferences will be going to conservative individuals, they will be high on our ticket.”
Preference strategy remains undecided
Hercus said preference decisions would ultimately be made by senior party members, but indicated the party would prioritise its own electoral position rather than automatically falling in behind the Liberal Party.
“Our preferences will be going to what works best for One Nation,” Hercus said.
The remarks come as preference flows become a key point of interest in the Nepean contest, particularly in a field where smaller parties and independents may shape the final result.
While Hercus stopped short of revealing how One Nation will direct their supporters to preferences, his comments suggest the party is seeking to be viewed as more than a supporting force on the conservative side of politics.
Hercus says the Liberal party has ‘imploded’
Hercus, a small business owner from the electorate, said he had previously supported the Liberal Party but had become increasingly disillusioned with its direction.
It’s only recently when I’ve seen the party sort of implode.
Hercus said.
He pointed to infighting, instability and what he sees as a failure to hold the Victorian Government to account as reasons for shifting his support to One Nation.
“They haven’t been able to hold the Labor state government to account at all,”
Hercus said.
Hercus also said he had heard from former Liberal voters and supporters considering a shift to One Nation.
“We are getting a lot of support, and I’ve been getting emails from former Liberal voters and supporters saying we’re going to swing across to One Nation,” he said.
Marsh preselection criticised
Hercus also took aim at the Liberal Party’s choice of candidate Anthony Marsh, saying the preselection did not reflect well on the party.
I certainly don’t think it looks fantastic for the Liberal Party.
“The fact that he was selected, almost parachuted into the position, suggests maybe that the Liberals were desperate to get a candidate up and running,”
Hercus said.
The comments add to a broader line of attack from Hercus, who is attempting to pitch One Nation as the stronger conservative option in the race.
Cost of living, housing and homelessness central to campaign
Hercus said the biggest issue facing voters in Nepean was the cost-of-living crisis, which he linked directly to housing stress and homelessness on the Mornington Peninsula.
I think the biggest thing is the cost-of-living crisis.
“That’s hurting everyone, families and small and medium business,”.
He said young families were finding it increasingly difficult to rent, save for a deposit or buy a home in their own community.
“You’ve got young families out there on dual incomes that are struggling to pay rent, let alone save up for a deposit for a mortgage,” Hercus said.
“It’s a pretty sad state of affairs when dual income earners are struggling to buy a house in their own electorate.”
Hercus also pointed to his own family circumstances, saying his adult children would like to move out but could not afford to rent.
The other issue, of course, as a result of this, is homelessness. That’s massive down in the Mornington Peninsula.
Rosebud Hospital singled out as top local priority
Asked what he would push first if elected, Hercus nominated Rosebud Hospital as his leading local priority.
I would probably have to say it would be the hospital because that is so important for the people of Nepean.
He described the facility as ageing and said the electorate had missed out on the level of health investment seen elsewhere.
“It’s a 60-year-old facility. It’s got ageing equipment in it,” Hercus said.
“Everyone I’ve spoken to has raised it as an issue.”
Hercus contrasted the hospital with the major redevelopment of Frankston Hospital, arguing Nepean residents also deserved stronger local health infrastructure.
Crime and law-and-order message
Crime was another area Hercus identified as central to his campaign, arguing a tougher approach was needed.
We want a tough stance on law, bring back law and order.
“Do the crime, do the time,” Hercus said.
He said his views reflected both his political beliefs and broader community concern about offending and bail outcomes.
“Socially as well, with the crime that we’ve been having, I think we need to have a stronger stance,” Hercus said.
Hercus pitches himself as stronger conservative option
Hercus said his business background and political views set him apart from both the Liberals and the independent candidate.
I think I’m probably one of the stronger conservative candidates out there at the moment.
He argued the Liberal Party had become too moderate in some areas and said One Nation offered a clearer conservative alternative.
“As an option for a conservative party, I think One Nation and myself stand out,” Hercus said.
Contest shaping as broader test for conservatives
Hercus’ interview positions One Nation as seeking to capitalise on dissatisfaction within parts of the Liberal base while presenting itself as a more direct conservative alternative in Nepean.
Although the party’s final preference strategy remains unresolved, Hercus made clear that One Nation does not want to be seen as merely helping another candidate secure victory.
For now, his pitch to voters is centred on cost of living, housing pressure, local health services, law and order, and the argument that disaffected conservatives have another option in the field.
