People power to blow Lib over

Australian
Monday 25/9/2006 Page: 4

THE wind-power debate in Victoria has put a former Liberal leader under grave pressure to keep his seat, with a People Power candidate snapping at his heels.

Despite a horror week - with the withdrawal of their lead candidate and problems with party registration - People Power is a chance to topple Liberal frontbencher Denis Napthine at the November poll, according to strategists from several parties.

Wind power is central to the contest for the seat of South-West Coast, which Dr Napthine holds by just a few hundred votes, with turbine and tower manufacture in Warrnambool and Portland generating 250 vital local jobs.

There are several wind farms in the electorate, and another major one in the pipeline aided by the Government's VRET scheme, which forces retailers to buy 10 per cent of their energy from renewable sources.

Like Labor, People Power is a strong supporter of wind farms, while the Liberal Party and Dr Napthine voted against the renewable energy target, and favour coal power.

People Power candidate Mike Noske, a businessman and former mayor, had previously fought Dr Napthine for Liberal preselection for the seat.