By ALESHA CAPONE AND YASEMIN TALAT
LABOR has retained seats in four electorates across Brimbank during the federal election, although swings of around five per cent towards the Liberal Party were recorded at voting booths across the West.
With the Liberal Party leader Tony Abbott Australia’s new Prime Minister, voters in the safe Labor heartland of Melbourne’s western suburbs will be represented in the Federal Opposition for the next three years.
In the electorate of Maribyrnong, which covers Kealba, Keilor East, St Albans and Sunshine North, former Labor minister Bill Shorten retained his seat, although there was a 5.3 per cent swing to the Liberal Party’s Ted Hatzakortzian.
In the Calwell electorate, which takes in Keilor, Keilor Downs, Tullamarine, Taylors Lakes and Sydenham, Labor MP Maria Vamvakinou netted 64.2 per cent of the vote. On a two-party preferred basis, there was a swing of 5.9 per cent to the Liberal candidate Ali Khan.
In the nearby electorate of Gorton includes – which covers Albanvale, Burnside, Cairnlea, Deer Park, Delahey, Derrimut, Hillside and Kings Park – Brendan O’Connor was re-elected to his seat.
Mr O’Connor won 66.9 per cent of the votes on a two-party preferred basis, with a swing of 6.8 to the Liberal Party’s Phil Humphreys.
In the Gellibrand electorate, which includes the suburbs of Albion, Ardeer, Brooklyn, Sunshine and Sunshine West, Labor’s Tim Watts took home 66.8 per cent of the votes.
However, there was a swing of 7.3 per cent in favour of the Liberal candidate David McConnell on a two-party preferred basis.
On Saturday morning, Maribyrnong’s incumbent Mr Shorten and his wife Chloe cast their votes at the Moonee Ponds West Primary School.
After voting, Mr Shorten addressed a media throng and said there was uncertainty in the air about what a Liberal Government could do, if elected.
“They are not going to back in the metro rail in Melbourne, they’re certainly not going to provide six years of funding certainty,” Mr Shorten said.
Mr Shorten was asked about whether he would contest the Labor leadership if Kevin Rudd stepped down, amidst political pundits predicting either Mr Shorten or Anthony Albanese would take over the role.
However, Mr Shorten said he would focus on the issue once more was known about the election results.
Across the border in the Gellibrand electorate, Mr Watts said he was honoured to take over from long-time Labor MP Nicola Roxon, who announced her intention to step down in February.
“It’s a great honour to represent so many passionate Labor supporters in this area,” Mr Watts said.
“It’s a humbling experience giving yourself to the voters.”
Mr Watts said Labor’s infighting was one of the reasons behind the Coalition victory.
“We need to get our own house in order, get unified and focus on getting Tony Abbott out of the Lodge,” he said.
