Libs survive swing away
Back again: Russell Broadbent chats with supporters following his win in McMillan on Saturday night.
By Jane Ross
RUSSELL Broadbent always knew he was in a marginal seat in McMillan.
As the votes came in on Saturday night, he held his breath, prepared for the worst.
Not until the Australian Electoral Commission announced at about 9pm that McMillan had been retained by the Liberals, did Mr Broadbent relax.
“The trend is, it is difficult for the Liberal and National parties here in McMillan.”
As it was, constituents recorded a 0.7 per cent swing away from the conservatives, with support decreasing particularly in the southern part of the electorate.
“I’m humbled and relieved. I had great concerns.”
He said his task now was to “start to work very hard” to address those “who feel disenfranchised”.
Mr Broadbent described the overall election result as “amazing”, but said he had great confidence in the three Independents – Tony Windsor, Rob Oakeshott and Bob Katter, who will decide who will govern.
“They are all men of great experience. They are intelligent, articulate and have young families so they know the issues. They realise we all have a national responsibility.”
Mr Windsor is a friend of Mr Broadbent’s, but the Member for McMillan won’t be badgering him.
“If he wants to speak to me, he will pick up the phone himself.”
The Australian Rural Doctors Association has begun lobbying the Independents.
President Nola Maxfield of Wonthaggi, said the association wants to highlight the $1 billion less in Medicare funding spent each year in rural areas compared with cities because of the lack of doctors and access to specialists and other allied health services.
The group also wants Queensland’s five-year rural generalist training pathway to be provided Australia-wide and is concerned about the provision of after-hours GP clinics which are “extremely important” in rural areas.
Labor’s Christine Maxfield, said she was pleased to have picked up swings towards her in Wonthaggi, Inverloch and Pakenham.
She noted the primary vote swing to the Greens, but was pleased with the outcome.
Ms Maxfield spent polling day in Drouin and complimented the volunteers who supported her.
She pledged to remain passionate about “the people who fall through the cracks” and to maintain her keen interest in politics.
Gippsland South MLA Peter Ryan believes the election result is reflective of contemporary life in Australia, where voters want politicians who will deal with the broader issues, while at the same time focusing locally.
He has held the State seat of Gippsland South for 18 years and said he never takes it for granted. He believes a politician’s first responsibility is to look after his/her local electorate.
“That is why Darren (Chester MHR Gippsland) and Russell (Broadbent MHR McMillan) have done so well; they care for and look after their electorates.
“That is where a lot of politicians have lost their way and why Labor has taken such a hit.”
But he cannot see a hung Parliament being replicated at the Victorian election later in the year.
McMillan Greens’ candidate Malcolm McKelvie, is pleased with his 3.6 per cent increase recorded on Saturday, taking the electorate’s Green vote to 9.3 per cent.
He sees the overall Greens’ result as an indication that people are concerned about climate change.
“I think Julia Gillard could have swept the election if only she’d said she’d act on climate change.”
Dr McKelvie is willing to stand again “if the party wants me”.
Independent Leigh Gatt is keen too.
He hopes the nation will go to the polls again very soon, a possibility with a minority government.
Mr Gatt totalled 1536 votes, pledging next time to “do it very differently”.
He said he had only one thing to say to incumbent Russell Broadbent: “I’ll see you next time!”
Family First candidate Linden Stokes, was hoping for a bit more than 3.4 per cent of the vote, but was pleased to have built on his father-in-law Terry Aeschlimann’s polling of 2.9 per cent at the last election.
“It’s been a humbling experience. You can see you can really make a difference. There are people who really take an interest (in who they are voting for) and that encourages me,” said Mr Stokes.
The Greens’ candidate for the State seat of Bass Neil Rankine, is buoyed by the federal support for the party, saying it augurs well for the November State election.
He said a “huge increase” in numbers, particularly in Victoria, took “a step out of their comfort zone by voting for the Greens Party”.
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