Stefan Bradley
GIPPSLAND voters delivered a larger Nationals team for the region in Saturday’s state election, with Morwell joining Gippsland East and Gippsland South as seats in the party’s hands.
The Nationals retained Gippsland East and Gippsland South, with both sitting MPs increasing their vote. No surprises in either contest, as both districts are considered safe Nationals territory.
As of Sunday night, Gippsland South MP Danny O’Brien led with a two-party preferred vote of 66.7 per cent over Labor candidate Denise Ryan on 33.3 per cent.
Gippsland East MP Tim Bull led with 74.2 per cent two-party preferred against Labor candidate Stephen Richardson, who was on 25.8 per cent.
The Victorian Electoral Commission declared the election for the seat of Narracan “failed” as a result of the death of Nationals Party candidate Shaun Gilchrist just days out from the election. Residents in the seat still voted in the Upper House, but will need to cast their ballot for the Lower House at a later date.
As a key seat, Morwell was a closer contest. Despite Labor’s candidate for Morwell, Dr Kate Maxfield, achieving a higher primary vote, preferences, particularly from Liberal candidate Dale Harriman, shifted the seat to Traralgon plumber, ex-footballer and Nationals candidate Martin Cameron. On Sunday night, Mr Cameron led two-party preferred with 55.1 per cent, with Dr Maxfield on 44.9 per cent. Dr Maxfield phoned Mr Cameron to concede on Saturday night.
The Gippsland Times spoke to Dr Maxfield on her defeat, who said that Labor couldn’t have put up a better campaign.
“We still won government, we’re still going to bring back the SEC,” she said.
“If we had lost government, I’d be in tears now.”
The previous member for Morwell was Russell Northe, who retired from politics at the election. He represented the Nationals in the seat for 11 years, but won the 2018 election as an independent.
The Nationals also won the regional seats of Shepparton and Mildura from independents, lifting their representation in the Lower House from six seats to nine.
Danny O’Brien told ABC Radio Melbourne on Sunday morning the results were bitter sweet, noting the “disaster” result for their Coalition partner, the Liberals.
“It was an absolutely stunning result for The Nationals,” Mr O’Brien said.
“It looks like we picked up three Lower House seats and probably one additional in the Upper House. So a (gain of four), no other party has done that.”
Mr O’Brien said it was a testament to the quality of the candidates, the campaigning and the leadership of party leader Peter Walsh.
“A great outcome for the Nationals across regional Victoria, but ultimately we want to be in government…We are not going to be for the next four years and it’s going to be tough even for the next election too.”
Mr O’Brien added that breaking up the Coalition needed to be “on the table”.
“I certainly wouldn’t be saying it’s something we’re going to do, but I certainly think it’s something we should look at.”
The federal Leader of The Nationals, David Littleproud, said the party in Victoria had bucked the trend of the Coalition in the state.
“The Victorian election outcome is a hugely successful result for The Nationals,” Mr Littleproud said.
He added that The Nationals would proudly bring four new women with diverse backgrounds and a plumber from Morwell to the Parliament, which reflected the communities they represent.
“The result is also due to the fact our candidates are heavily involved in their local communities and worked incredibly hard, with grassroots campaigns,” he said
“I congratulate Victorian Premier Dan Andrews and I know The Nationals will work constructively with the Labor government.”
The federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester also congratulated Labor and Mr Andrews on Facebook, but said it was apparent that Victoria will be “deeply divided on political lines between rural/regional areas and the cities”.
“Labor and the independents have lost a lot of ground with regional voters in this election and The Nationals have performed strongly,” Mr Chester said.
“The challenge for the returning Premier is to work with the leaders in our communities as we face enduring economic, social and environmental challenges, and plenty of opportunities.
“Congratulations to all successful candidates in Gippsland… we need to work together now to deliver a better future for our region, and all Victorians.”
