Winner … Labor’s Bill Shorten casts an eye over one of his campaign posters at his election party on Saturday. 52145 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By Belinda Nolan
ALP powerbroker Bill Shorten has retained his hold over Maribyrnong, winning the seat convincingly over Liberal hopeful Conrad D’Souza.
Mr Shorten attracted 67 per cent of the vote under a two-candidate preferred system, a 2.4 per cent swing in his favour since the last election.
But overall, Mr Shorten took a hit, winning 1.3 per cent less of the primary vote than he did in 2007.
Mr Shorten’s success seemed certain as early as 7pm on Saturday when the first flurry of votes revealed him as the front runner.
When Star went to print, the sitting MP had pulled 56 per cent of the primary vote, ahead of Mr D’Souza on 28 per cent, with 23 per cent yet to be counted.
The Greens performed strongly, with candidate Tim Long emerging with 11.3 per cent of the primary vote, a swing of more than 4 per cent in his favour since the last election.
Other candidates included Family First contender Colin Moyle, who polled 2.4 per cent and Australian Democrats member Robert Livesay who attracted just 1.0 per cent of the vote.
Despite the strong local performance, the mood remained sombre at Mr Shorten’s election party, which was held at the Maribyrnong Park Bowls Club.
Just hours earlier, Mr Shorten had caused a stir among his constituents at Moonee Ponds West Primary School when he arrived to cast his vote with partner Chloe Bryce, who is the daughter of Governor General Quentin Bryce.
While Mr Shorten’s own seat was secured, his party took a beating, with Labor losing the battle in key seats.
When Star went to print Australian voters were preparing for a hung Parliament, with neither party emerging as a clear victor.
Mr Shorten said he was hopeful Labor would retain power with the support of independent MPs and blamed problems in NSW and Queensland for damaging Labor’s vote.
Mr Shorten called the win in his seat an “endorsement” of the work his government had done in the area.
“This is an endorsement of the work Labor has done to deliver better facilities, particularly schools and hospitals in the area,” Mr Shorten said.
“I will keep working over my next term to ensure this area gets the support it deserves.”
Mr D’Souza said he was disappointed in the results but said it was to be expected in Labor’s heartland.
“It’s a result that we have to deal with because that’s how the people voted but you have to remember the western suburbs are the party machine’s home ground.
“It was always going to be a challenge.”
