Port Arthur gun control leader calls on ‘battler’ vote ahead of election

One of Australia's leading anti-violence voices is hoping to make his mark in the Victorian state election this weekend.

Walter Mikac's wife Nanette, and his two daughters Alannah and Madelaine, were killed along with 32 others by gunman Martin Bryant in the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.

Determined to create something positive from the horror, Mr Mikac became a leading voice in the successful push for national gun reform.

He also founded the Alannah and Madelaine Foundation, in honour of his girls, which is dedicated to protecting children from bullying and violence.

Since its foundation, it has helped more than two million children.

Now, Mr Mikac has joined the Aussie Battler's Party as a candidate in this Saturday's election.

He said it would have been easier for him to "shy off into the sunset", but claimed too many people in Victoria were living in fear and that the government was too soft on crime.

"I've worked for over the last 32 years to help decrease violence in society, and to see that happening is disheartening," Mr Mikac told A Current Affair.

He admitted it would be difficult to snare a seat, but said he thought he could win his race.

"I think people will want that change, and a new message, and actual action," he said.

The Aussie Battlers have 19 candidates in the election.

Party leader Stuart O'Neill said the next step for the party would be an entry into federal politics.

"Everyone thinks that you can't win, and that's just what we are," he said.

"We're the battlers."

Mr Mikac described himself as "a quiet man who's had to change with extraordinary circumstances", and said he still thought of his family "every day".

"I was at the ballot draw last week for the selection - and it's all new to me, so it's very fresh - and I said a quick prayer to them and said, 'look, girls, I'm doing this. I hope you agree with me, I hope'," he said.

"And I got this great ballot draw, number two, and I thought, 'this is meant to be, this is my destiny'."