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Victorian Socialists name candidate for Shepparton

By Ashley Darling

Oct 2, 2026

The Victorian Socialists have announced Karen Hocking as their candidate for the 2026 state election. Photo by Contributed

Karen Hocking will run for the seat of Shepparton at the November state election as the Victorian Socialists candidate.

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Ms Hocking said she would campaign for accessible healthcare, affordable housing and human rights.

A Shepparton resident, Ms Hocking is a nurse at GV Health and a long-time administrator for the Shepparton Junior Soccer Association.

“I’ve seen first hand what chronic underfunding has done to our public healthcare system,” Ms Hocking said.

She said that waiting times for surgery and specialists put vulnerable patients at risk and that aged care and disability services should be free and accessible.

Ms Hocking also identified housing affordability as an increasing issue in the Shepparton community.

“In our community today, 39 per cent are renters and they, like families with mortgages, are struggling as the costs continue to rise and profits pour into the pockets of big banks and developers,” she said.

Ms Hocking said she stood against all forms of bigotry and was concerned that far-right politics would wind back the rights of marginalised people.