Labor MPs Geoff Howard, Don Nardella and Marlene Kairouz are set to retain their seats in Buninyong, Melton and Kororoit following Saturday’s state election.
About 60 per cent of votes in Buninyong had been counted by the time Star Weekly went to press, with Mr Howard leading Liberal candidate Ben Taylor 56.59 per cent to
43.42 per cent on two-party-preferred votes.
About 50 per cent of votes in Melton had been counted, and although the Labor Party secured the seat comfortably, there was a swing of just under two per cent to the Liberal Party.
Mr Nardella said he wasn’t concerned about the swing and said he had looked after his electorate.
Asked if Melton had not received as much pre-poll attention or spending promises as other electorates because of its safe-seat status, Mr Nardella said: “It doesn’t matter whether you’re a marginal or whether you’re safe, it depends on the member of parliament in terms of how effective they are. It didn’t matter how much you advocated, who you talked to, how you talked to them, [the Coalition government] didn’t care.”
Star Weekly asked Mr Nardella if he had “fought enough” for Melton in the four years since the previous election.
“Look at the things we’ve achieved for the west and the commitments we put in place,” he said.
“For example, Western Hospital. We announced $200 million for the maternity ward. I went down there and all the upgrades were done by us, not the Libs.”
Mr Howard, a Labor MP for 15 years, said it was “very satisfying” to see the community continuing to support him since he first became a councillor for the City of Ballarat 25 years ago.
“To find they are still voting for me and supporting me is really encouraging,” Mr Howard said. “It’s gratifying to think people have judged that they want me as
their member of parliament for another four years.”
The Buninyong electorate, previously Ballarat East, underwent a major change in boundaries to include the area to the west of Bacchus Marsh and the south and east of Ballarat. Mr Howard said he looked forward to learning more about the new areas in his electorate and was keen to work closely with the community on its aspirations.
“I’m committed to making sure I’m available to everyone who wants to make contact with me,” he said.
Kororoit Labor MP Marlene Kairouz is also likely to retain her seat and says she will continue to work hard for her growing community, with education and health her top priorities. She said a train station for Caroline Springs, the recently announced women’s and children’s hospital at the Sunshine Hospital site; removal of level crossings at Main Road West, Furlong Road and Melton Highway, and a secondary school in Taylors Hill would be her priorities during her next term in office.
“There’s also the Boral tip expansion and that’s something I’ll fight right to the end to make sure it doesn’t go ahead,” she said.
