Daughter of John Halfpenny to take Batchelor's Thomastown seat

The Trades Hall official was the only nomination for Thomastown, which Labor holds by a margin of 31.1 per cent, making it the second-safest seat in Victoria. But two candidates from Labor's left are fighting to replace former police minister Bob Cameron in the seat of Bendigo West, after he also announced his retirement last week.

A meeting of Labor's administrative committee tomorrow night will choose between Maree Edwards, an electorate officer to Mr Cameron, and Bill Murray, who directed the recent campaign of federal Bendigo MP Steve Gibbons. Mr Batchelor and Mr Cameron both retired for family reasons.

Labor members George Seitz, Carlo Carli, Judy Maddigan and Karen Overington are also retiring as state MPs.