As predicted by the polls, former military lawyer, Labor's Dr Mike Kelly has been elected as the Member Eden Monaro at the Federal Election last Saturday. Eden-Monaro's status as "The bellwether seat" is firmly intact as the swing to Dr Kelly of around 7.4% mirrored the total swing against the Howard Government across the country.
At the Braidwood polling booth out of 1,268 votes cast, the two party preferred results saw 596 votes for sitting member Gary Nairn (47%) with 672 votes to Kelly (53%) which also reflected The Canberra Times Polling last week.
In Bungendore 1,664 votes saw 43% to Nairn and 57% to Kelly with a swing of 3.61%, while a 12% swing to Labor was recorded in Bega.
Dr Kelly said "I'd like to thank Gary Nairn for his service for Eden-Monaro over the last 11 years. It's a large and diverse seat and it is not one for the feint hearted. I would also like to thank the community for putting their faith in me, and I will be fighting very hard to look after their interests. That includes those who didn't vote for me. I am here to represent everyone."
The former Federal Member for Eden-Monaro and Special Minister of State Gary Nairn has extended his congratulations to Mr Kelly
Mr Nairn, who has won four elections and represented the people of Eden-Monaro for almost 12 years, says he has left the position knowing that the country and local area is in the best shape it could be. "During my time as local member, I have worked hard to reduce local unemployment to the lowest level it has been for more than 30 years," Mr Nairn said. "There is now a greater diversity of opportunity throughout Eden-Monaro and I'm very proud of the many achievements."
"I have worked closely with local shire councils, constituents, businesses and community groups to deliver projects that they have asked for and identified as priorities" he said. "I would like to take this time to publicly thank all those groups for their professionalism over the years, as it has been a pleasure to represent them. I congratulate Mike Kelly on his win and I wish him all the best as the new Federal Member for Eden-Monaro."
The Greens Keith Hughes received 7.4% of the total with 4,996 first preference votes, Mathew Chivers of the Christian Democratic Party (Fred Nile Group) 737 votes, Peter Harris of Family First 519 votes, and Tim Quilty LDP 224 votes.
Independent candidate Acacia Rose who recorded 1,508 votes, also congratulated Kelly on his "decisive and well deserved win" and thanked her supporters for their courage and faith in her. "It was a long and intense campaign fought with limited financial resources and I would like to thank all my supporters for their encouragement and ultimately, vote on 24 November."
In Gilmore, Joanna Gash retained the seat for Liberal with 49% of first preferences but a -4.96% swing against her. Gilmore along the coast from Kiama in the north to Tomakin in the south, then west including much of the Monga, Budawang and Morton National Parks. This year its had gained Batemans Bay from Eden Monaro redistribution.
In Hume, covering Crookwell to Wee Jasper, the Southern Highlands to Young and the City of Goulburn.
Liberal Alby Schultz suffered an 8.14% swing against him but retained the seat with 48% first preferences.
The Labor will meet later this week to decide on its ministry, and with such a significant win Dr Kelly could not be expected to sit on the back bench for long.
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