The Nationals candidate for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams left Independent MP Peter Besseling in her wake at the polls on Saturday.
Mrs Williams came up with 56.4 per cent of votes, with Mr Besseling only favoured by 43.6 per cent of local voters in the State election.
Andrew Stoner retained the seat of Oxley.
When we were speaking with Mrs Williams on Monday, she said she was surprised at the margin of her victory but felt capable and honoured to take the people’s voice to parliament.
“I will make sure I am a good and effective representative of every person in Port Macquarie and even those who don’t get a vote or have a voice,” she said.
Immediate key areas of focus are the Hospital extension, meeting with Council to fulfil road upgrade promises and mental health issues.
Mrs Williams praised Mr Besseling for his work since being elected in 2008 and described him as “genuinely passionate about the community”.
Mrs Williams, a 50-year-old registered nurse at Port Macquarie Base Hospital, said she will be resigning from her existing role.
Meanwhile Federal Independent MP for Lyne Rob Oakeshott said he was looking forward to working on key issues for the Mid-North Coast with the region’s newly elected and re-elected State MPs.
“The ballot box never lies and I acknowledge the comprehensive and resounding mandate that has been delivered to the Liberal and National Parties in this NSW election,” Mr Oakeshott said.
“I congratulate the Member for Upper Hunter George Souris, Myall Lakes MP Stephen Bromhead, Oxley MP Andrew Stoner and Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams on their election yesterday and acknowledge all candidates of all persuasions for ‘having a go’.
“Many would also be aware that Peter Besseling is a personal friend of mine and, of more importance for the community, has been an excellent and hard-working representative for the people of Port Macquarie for the past two and a half years.
“I acknowledge Peter’s important contribution, including his work on the $110 million expansion of Port Macquarie Base Hospital and the $80 million Stage 2 of the Oxley Highway upgrade.
“I now look forward to working with our State MPs on key local issues and assisting wherever possible in the delivery of important election commitments they have made, including:
– Completion of the Pacific Highway dual carriageway by 2016;
– Road and bridge funding for the Upper Manning and the electorate generally;
– $75 million for hospital and health services on the Mid-North Coast; and
– Action in the Gloucester basin on securing productive agricultural land against the rapid expansion of mining.
