If Alex Dyson hoovers up enough votes on Saturday, how will he handle the Canberra pressure cooker?

Alex Dyson has painted the Wannon electorate orange - his official colour - over the past six months. 

And his strategy has delivered results, with polling suggesting Dyson could either secure an easy victory, or lose by the skin of his teeth to Liberal incumbent Dan Tehan.

With mere days separating Australia from its impending government, we’re ensuring voters in Wannon have a clear idea of who their front-running candidates are, both on and off the campaign trail. 

So, who is Alex Dyson? 

The 36-year-old is a Warrnambool local, and has a younger sister, according to his website. 

Dyson got his start as a radio announcer at a local Warrnambool station before taking on the breakfast slot at Triple J in 2010. 

In 2019 he launched his first campaign, saying his motivation stemmed from seeing “how the decades of being a safe seat haven’t served [the] community”. 

How prepared is Dyson to handle the pressure of federal parliament, and would he be able to deliver results for Wannon?

Navigating life in Canberra

Speaking to the Brolga on Wednesday, Dyson said he was confident in his capabilities to work with the government, majority or minority, to best represent his electorate.

“The experience of existing Independent MPs, like Dr Helen Haines in the seat of Indi, shows there is a lot that Independents can achieve for their communities, even when one of the major parties has a majority,” he said. 

“If the Australian voters elect a minority parliament, which many polls are predicting could be the most likely outcome, there would probably be even more opportunity for me to negotiate positive outcomes for Wannon.”

If elected, Dyson said he would still call Warrnambool home, but he was ready for whatever Canberra would throw at him.

“This is my third time running for election in Wannon, so I am very prepared to head to Canberra to fight for our region. 

“My best tool for coping with the pressure, though, has been the over 1,000 local volunteers working tirelessly on the campaign, and the thousands more locals who are supporting our movement to elect a community-backed Independent in Wannon.”

First order of business

Among Dyson’s highest priorities if he wins the seat is to repair Wannon’s “crumbling roads”.

“My first Private Member’s Bill would be a Right to Safe Roads Bill,” Dyson said. “Our crumbling roads are the number one issue that has been raised with me by voters this campaign. Our cars have to be roadworthy, but our roads aren’t car-worthy. That’s why if elected, I’ll fight to make providing safe roads the law.”

Dyson’s Right to Safe Roads Bill would require all major roads to meet a basic, 3-star safety standard by 2030, with the worst roads prioritised first.

“If elected, I will work with whoever is in government, as well as all other members of parliament, to secure support for this life-saving legislation,” he said.