Helen Haines supports volunteers at Benalla early voting site

“We know nationally over one million people have voted through the posting voting system as well, so I think many people are getting in early to avoid the crowds, possibly with caution around COVID,” Dr Haines said.

With the election on Saturday, Dr Haines said she would be visiting pre-polling stations in Indi, meeting voters and discussing her campaign.

“The important thing is I stand for local representation. I answer to the people of Indi, not to any party boss,” she said.

“The key issues we need to ensure we think about are integrity in politics, to ensure public money is spent for the public good, not for political gain.

“That real representation means better rural and regional healthcare, it means better telecommunications and it means a real focus on the housing crisis that we face.”