As has become tradition for showstealer1829 when it comes to launching a campaign in Nicholls the Setts Function room is decked out with his election posters and paraphernalia. However due to COVID restrictions only 50 people are in attendance although it is being recorded to go up on his website, they still make a good round of applause as he steps up to take the stage and launch his campaign

Ladies and Gentlemen, friends. I'll be the first to admit that there were times over the past 6 months it seemed like this day would never come again. That perhaps my issues with vertigo and the continued battle to find a lasting solution for the problem many Australians suffer with would be simply too much to allow a return to be able to once again present myself as a candidate for the seat of Nicholls. But after the lonest time, and so many hours and so many doctors appointments. I can finally say, just like I announced last week with my press statement. I'm back!

The small crowd cheer loudly, showstealer smiles a moment, taking a moment to let the reality sink in to him before he speaks again

Before I move forward into my campaign launch and some of my plans for the seat of Nicholls. I would like to address my health just to make it clear to all who may question my ability to take on a full term of government. I have passed up numerous opportunities in the seat of Nicholls to stand as a candidate because I believe that once you make a choice to put your hand up you are making a commitment that you will work for the entire term should you be given the honor of representing the people of Nicholls. At those times I could not make that commitment, so I chose not to stand. Rest assured, if my doctors had told me I was in any danger of a relapse during the next three months I once again would not be standing in this election as a candidate. I only made this decision to put my hat in the ring again when both myself and my doctors were confident I could honor the commitment I am asking the people of Nicholls to give me.

Which brings me to the primary reason I am once again asking for the trust of the people of Nicholls. Whilst I have not been the member I have been watching the electorate with a close and careful eye, after all I was not only a proud member for Nicholls, I am and continue to be a proud constituent of Nicholls. While I do respect that some members elected after me have tried their hardest for the people of Nicholls I do believe that the trust of the people of Nicholls has been taken for granted by those that have used that trust to push their own agendas at the detriment of the people of Nicholls, whether that has been in persuing a goal that would seek to divide the people of Nicholls such as the aim when West Wimmeran Statehood was introduced to parliament, to members taking their ball and going home when they did not get their way. We have had members elected on one agenda, for one party, change parties the very next day, or in the case of the current member just before the election, showing a complete lack of faith and goodwill to the people of Nicholls who have put their trust in these members to represent them and their ideals.

I have never claimed to be anything but open and honest with the people of Nicholls. I have done my best when given the honor of representing them to stand by my principles. I was voted in as an independent. I have remained Independent. Indeed in the election I was forced to withdraw from I signed a pledge to remain independent no matter what happen if I was elected to represent the people of Nicholls again. That pledge still holds true to me now. If I am once again given the honor of representing the people of Nicholls while I will always be open to the idea of confidence and supply, I will always remain independent for my term in office should I be elected as an independent.

We achieved many things for Nicholls when I had the honor of representing them before. We, with the help of the SDP made it easier for people in rural communities, not only in Nicholls but around Australia to have access to a GP in a timely manner. We ensured our young and upcoming e-sports athletes would continue to be able to chase their dreams without the financial pressures that chasing those dreams would face by allowing them to access funding through the AIS. We have overseen the extension and return into public hands of the Mildura Base Hospital. We have done so many good things for our communities not only here, but all over Nicholls and indeed Australia.

But our work is not yet done. There is still so much we have to persue. We still have not gotten much needed Phase 2 upgrades to the Swan Hill train line. We still have not gotten passenger train services restored to Mildura. We still have not gotten key road upgrades in Gippsland, one of the nations highest growing areas. We have still not gotten key regional media hubs in our northern areas of the state. We still have to upgrade our regional hospitals to be better able to handle this global pandemic.

We still have so much to do friends, we still have so much we can achieve. But before we can do all these things, we need to bring trust back to the people of Nicholls. We need to not take that vote that they give us for granted. We need your help, your trust, your vote to get us back on the right path. On that note I will be announcing here today my intention if elected to once again renew the push for passenger train services to be brought back to Mildura with the introduction of Phase 2 upgrades to the Swan Hill Line and the reopening of the WIN TV Newsroom here in Mildura, which has been without local news bulletins for over 5 years now. Which is a crime.

Today I launch my campaign to once again be the member for Nicholls. Together we can make a difference. Together we can make Nicholls the envy of the entire nation. Together we will once again attempt to shake parliament to its core. The task will not be easy, we are the underdogs this time. But we will never stop fighting, for each other, for Nicholls, for Australia.