The Liberals' decision to run against the Nationals in the Victorian seat of Euroa is "most unfortunate", state Nationals leader Peter Ryan says.
The Nationals asked the Liberal Party not to field a candidate in the new seat, created after a redrawing of the Benalla electorate being vacated by retiring Nationals MP Bill Sykes, Mr Ryan said.
"The Liberal Party has apparently chosen to stand, although they have not spoken formally to me about it. We think that is a most unfortunate decision," Mr Ryan told reporters in Ballarat on Wednesday.
The deputy premier said the Nationals believe the Liberal move is a breach of their coalition agreement.
"The very basis and foundation for having a coalition agreement is to ensure we don't see this sort of waste of resources occur," he said.
"We saw this all happen in the recent federal election in the seat of Mallee and here we go again."
The Liberals ran a candidate in Mallee at last year's federal election, which was being vacated by National John Forrest.
The Nationals' Andrew Broad won the seat.
Stephanie Ryan will run as a Nationals candidate for Euroa at the November 29 state election.
"We are very confident of being able to win the seat," Mr Ryan said.
"We have not asked the Liberal Party to stand, indeed we have asked the Liberal Party not to stand."
Premier Denis Napthine says decisions about running candidates are up to the party's administrative wing, which is in regular contact with the National Party administration.
"Peter Ryan and I work well professionally, we're also personally good friends. The coalition is a great working team," he told reporters.
Dr Napthine said running Liberal and National candidates in the same seat gives voters a choice, but also maximises the Liberal-National vote.
"With regard to this seat, I think the National Party has selected a very, very good candidate and I'm sure Stephanie Ryan will do very well."
Share
