A lifelong resident of south-east Melbourne with a background in healthcare, now a history student at Monash University.
Victorian state election · Legislative Assembly
Caulfield
Current member
David Southwick, Liberal
Candidates
Who's running
6 candidates have been announced or preselected for Caulfield, listed by surname. The VEC draws ballot order and publishes the official list after nominations close at 12 noon on 9 November.
Candidate list: Tally Room 2026 seat guide, checked 5 Nov 2026. 4 of 6 candidates have a profile so far, written by this site from the sources listed with it.
Michael Abelman
One Nation
Works as a national operations manager.
Draft profile, not yet reviewed · sources (1)
Liberal member for Caulfield since 2010, who has held several shadow ministries including police, transport infrastructure and major projects.
Draft profile, not yet reviewed · sources (2)
A Caulfield local of nearly two decades who moved from a legal career into the not-for-profit sector, founding an organisation that helps vulnerable women into jobs through TAFE.
Draft profile, not yet reviewed · sources (1)
Voting
How to vote in Caulfield
Two ballot papers
Lower house (Legislative Assembly): you choose the member for Caulfield, from the candidates above.
Upper house (Legislative Council): you help elect the five members for the Southern Metropolitan Region.
When and where
- Early voting: Wednesday 18 to Friday 27 November
- Election day: Saturday 28 November
How-to-vote cards
Parties and candidates hand out cards showing the order they suggest. They're only suggestions: you can number the boxes in any order you choose. The VEC publishes every registered card on its website.
Filling in your ballot papers
Lower house: On the smaller lower house ballot paper, you need to number every box in the order of your choice.
Upper house: On the larger upper house ballot paper, you can choose to vote above the line or below the line. Whether you choose to vote above the line or below the line, you need to number at least one to five in your order of choice for your vote to count.
Use numbers only, no ticks or crosses. (Source: VEC)
Group voting tickets have been abolished for the upper house, so its ballot paper works differently from 2022. Check the VEC's guide even if you've voted before. (Source: Proportional Representation Society)
Instructions are quoted from the Victorian Electoral Commission, checked 5 Nov 2026.
Your state member
Contact David Southwick
- Electorate office
- Creative Cubes,, Level 3, 21-23 William Street, Balaclava, VIC, 3183
- Phone
- 03 9527 3866
- david.southwick@parliament.vic.gov.au
- Online
- WebsiteFacebookX (Twitter)
Source: Parliament of Victoria, updated 28 Aug 2026.