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As if Liberal frontbencher Dan Tehan, facing increasingly unfavourable polls, wasn’t already having enough trouble clinging on to his seat, Malcom Fraser’s granddaughter has now backed his opponent.

Fraser made the Victorian rural electorate of Wannon famous when he became prime minister in 1975, but his granddaughter Samantha Marshall has endorsed independent challenger Alex Dyson.

Marshall, a Commonwealth Games swimming medallist, issued a statement declaring that today’s Liberal Party bore little resemblance to the liberal traditions upheld by her grandfather.

“My grandfather, Malcolm Fraser, led the Liberal Party and our nation with a commitment to integrity, compassion and true liberal values. He believed in responsible governance and the importance of putting country before politics,” Marshall said.

“The Liberal Party of today bears little resemblance to that tradition. It is a party that is increasingly distant from the community it claims to serve and the issues important to its constituents.

“I’ve watched Alex Dyson’s campaign with growing admiration as he advocates for what locals need, from fighting for better rural and regional healthcare to expanding the powers of the National Anti-Corruption body to clean up politics.”

Fraser held Wannon for the Liberal Party from 1955 to 1983 and Tehan has held the seat for the past 15 years.

Read more on our Victorian hot seats blog here.