Labor Party’s Shashi Bhatti failed to make a mark at the lower house seat of Gippsland where the Nationals party candidate has prevailed yet again.
Mr. Bhatti could poll just over 32 percent votes while Nationals candidate is projected to get 67.5 percent votes on two candidates preferred basis.
Shashi Bhatti had got the Labor party endorsement for contesting election from Gippsland after the previous candidate refused to contest.
Mr. Bhatti was aware that it was a difficult seat to win.
“It’s a fact that the Nationals have been winning this seat for the past over 60 years. But I put my hand up for this and will give my hundred percent. If I don’t win this time, perhaps next time,” he had told SBS Punjabi.
Mr. Bhatti had never even thought about venturing in politics until the campaign for the 2016 federal election began in Australia.
While driving back from work, he received a phone call that catapulted him into the election arena.
“I had no plans to contest in this election. While driving back home one day, I learned that the lady candidate for Labor party withdrew because she was required to resign from her government teaching job. I put my hand up for the position,” said Mr. Bhatti.
The fact wasn’t not lost on Mr. Bhatti that Gippsland was an unwinnable seat for Labor.
He told SBS Punjabi that he his vision was to bring more jobs and manufacturing, improving health and education facilities in his constituency.
