Clay Esler

A life of hard work, service and commitment to Victoria.

Clay understands the value of hard work because it has been part of his life from the beginning. While studying for a Commerce degree, majoring in Economics and Finance, he worked in construction and plumbing. Those early years gave him firsthand experience of the demands of physical work, the importance of earning a living and the value of taking responsibility.

After gaining experience in corporate finance, Clay joined the Royal Australian Air Force, serving for more than 12 years as an officer and pilot. During his service, he also helped train the next generation of Australian pilots and instructors from Australia and international partner nations. It was a career built around discipline, teamwork, accountability and service to others.

Following his military service, Clay and his wife established a successful business in Gippsland, expanding its operations interstate. As a husband and father of three, Clay understands the importance of building a secure future for the next generation and the everyday pressures facing Victorian families and small businesses.

These experiences have shaped his decision to stand for Parliament.

As a One Nation candidate for the Legislative Council, Clay’s priorities include restoring accountability and financial discipline in government, addressing crime and community safety, securing reliable and affordable energy, and supporting regional industries and employment.

He advocates for greater transparency in government spending, stronger support for frontline policing, a long-term energy strategy that includes coal and nuclear power, and the responsible reopening of Victoria’s native timber industry.

“Victoria should be a place where families feel safe, businesses can thrive and hard work is rewarded.”

He brings experience across the trades, finance, military service and business, together with a commitment to listening, taking responsibility and working hard for the community.