Athol Thomas is One Nation’s candidate for the Northern Victoria Region. A long-time resident of Tawonga in North East Victoria, Athol brings practical, hands-on experience from both the land and heavy industry to his candidacy.

He works full-time as a heavy equipment mechanic with a statewide mining and construction equipment dealer, keeping the machines that drive regional industry running. Alongside that, he runs a small beef cattle farm and serves as a CFA volunteer, giving him a clear view of the pressures facing primary producers, small businesses and emergency services in country Victoria.

Athol has watched regional communities, businesses and farmers struggle under the current government that have under-funded regional investment and services while imposing rising costs. He is particularly concerned about the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) levy, which has placed an unfair additional burden on farmers and businesses already doing it tough.

A strong opponent of forced net-zero projects, Athol stands with Victorians against renewable energy infrastructure being imposed upon regional communities fighting to retain precious fertile farming land.

“Net zero is a costly ideology that ignores the realities of regional life, One Nation will scrap it and put reliable, affordable energy and the needs of Victorians first as well as giving a strong voice back to the communities that do not want it forced upon them.”

Athol is standing for Northern Victoria Region to deliver common-sense representation that backs farmers, trades, small business and local communities – not Melbourne-centric agendas that leave the regions behind.