Victoria byelections: Liberals win one but may lose Denis Napthine's old seat
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Version 0 of 1. The Victorian Liberals have claimed victory in the byelection for a safe seat in the state’s southwest, but the result is still too close to call in the seat vacated by the former Victorian premier Denis Napthine. The Liberals have comfortably retained the seat of Polwarth. Candidate Richard Riordan led the primary first preference votes by 49.57% on Sunday. Polwarth was given up by the former roads minister Terry Mulder. Related: Victoria election: is Denis Napthine’s daggy charm the Coalition’s only asset? The opposition leader, Matthew Guy, claimed the Polwarth victory on Saturday evening. “It’s pretty clear by the polling that Richard Riordan has won, and he has won handsomely,” he told supporters gathered in Warrnambool. In the South West Coast seat, the Liberals’ Roma Britnell led the primary vote on 40.07% on Sunday. In the two-candidate preferred vote, the Nationals’ Michael Neoh sat on 38.83%, while Britnell led on 60.17%. Guy acknowledged Napthine’s popularity with the electorate was a hard act to follow for a new Liberal candidate. “From Denis Napthine leaving as one of the most popular local members in Australia, it is always going to be difficult,” he said. “I am very confident that from the feedback we are receiving ... we can get over the line.” Britnell – a former national rural woman of the year – said she was prepared for a tight contest. Labor chose not to run candidates in the byelections, ensuring the major challenge came from Nationals candidates and conservative independents. |