Local Labor MPs for Bendigo and McEwen have been returned in Labor’s decisive victory at Saturday’s federal election after nine years in opposition.
Bendigo MP Lisa Chesters and her McEwen counterpart, Rob Mitchell, were returned for their fourth and fifth terms respectively in an election they say was won on issues of integrity, climate action and cost of living concerns.
It was also a strong win for women with several Liberal-held seats being claimed by female teal independent and Labor candidates and polling interpreted as showing the ‘Morrison Factor’ being part of the Liberals’ demise.
Ms Chesters enjoyed a swing in her favour of more than three per cent to defeat the Liberals’ Darin Schade convincingly.
With 76 per cent of votes counted earlier today, she had 51,740 votes to Schade’s 31,649, before preference distribution.
She told the Express that what she’d heard in her local listening posts was that people wanted change.
“They were unhappy with the direction the government was going in and there was a real sense of ‘we have to have a change of government’,” she said.
Ms Chesters said Labor women had done well in this election, with regional women increasing their margins and others winning new seats.
“It was an election where people got behind Labor’s agenda, practical action on climate change, making sure that we’re strengthening Medicare and rebuilding health services,” she said.
“Our commitment around rewiring the grid to allow more renewable energy into the system, which will mean cheaper power bills and also help us tackle climate change.”
Ms Chesters said integrity was a big issue, and ensuring the parliament had an independent anti-corruption commission.
“The fair treatment of women too,” she said.
“On women, it’s action speaks louder than words. More than 50 per cent of the Labor caucus is women and we’ll be a better government for it.”
MCEWEN HELD
McEwen MP Rob Mitchell held onto his seat after defeating the Liberal Party’s Richard Welch with only a small swing away from Labor in the electorate of less than two per cent.
With 67 per cent of votes counted today, Mr Mitchell had 37,633 votes to Welch’s 32,556, before preference distribution.
Despite the Liberals throwing millions of dollars at projects in the electorate in a bid to steal the seat from Labor, Mr Mitchell said people wanted a local who was there for the community.
“Every promise we have made, we have delivered on, and they saw through the hollow promises from (The Liberals),” he told the Express.
“They put trust in the record I have for standing up for the community and getting things done.”
Mr Mitchell said he too had been given a clear message that people wanted change, and progressive change.
“They were annoyed with the falsehoods, the untruths and the attacks and were more concerned about how we could facilitate change,” he said.
“People were keen to see change and you could see it in the relief that was shown on Sunday.
“With Anthony Albanese, Australia will have a PM who will be there, who will take responsibility and most importantly will be committed to building a better future, putting people at the forefront and making sure no one is left behind.
“The NDIS, Medicare, aged care, childcare, secure work and building skills and bringing manufacturing back to Australia all resonated with people because it is all about that Australian ethos about helping each other.”
Romsey resident and Greens candidate Neil Barker gained more than 14 per cent of the primary vote in McEwen.
“We’re very pleased with the result and we hope to improve on it next time,” he told the Express.
