The votes are in: Liberal continues to dominate in seat of Barker as Tony Pasin’s reign continues

Tony Pasin’s reign will continue in the safe Liberal seat with the incumbent winning a fourth term and he says there’s no truth to the phrase “safe seats don’t get the treats”.

The seat of Barker has been won by Liberal incumbent Tony Pasin.

As of 8.45pm 68 out of 110 polling booths had returned a result with Mr Pasin securing 51.80 per cent of the vote, Labor candidate Mark Braes trailed behind with 19.6 per cent of the vote.

Following his win Mr Pasin said it was “humbling” to be re-elected for a fourth term.

“There’s always a degree of anxiety (heading into an election),” he said.

“But I was also kind of keen to present the portfolio of work that I’ve been able to deliver to the community over eight and a half years.”

Tony Pasin flanked by his parents and former party member Dale Howard. Picture: Arj Ganesan

Mr Pasin who began his political career as a Mount Gambier City Councillor has held the seat of Barker since 2013.

The electorate has never been held by Labor and is considered one of the safest Liberal seats.

Mr Pasin was critical of “safe seats don’t get the treats” rhetoric.

“That’s always the catch cry of those that are running against incumbent members,” he said.

Prior to the polling booths closure Mr Braes who also lost his state election bid in March said he hoped to at least maintain the 21 per cent swing seen in the 2019 election.

“My initial aim benchmarks myself is at least to hold the vote up,” he said.

“I’d like to think that I can at least retain that — beyond that I’ve got no real insight.”

As the results rolled in Mr Braes said he enjoyed his election bid despite failing to secure a win at both the state and federal elections.

He acknowledged it was an uphill battle to contest the Liberal safe seat and planned build a base of younger Labor supporters for the future.

Supplied Editorial Pasin updated lines

“Over the next four to five years – (I will) try to get some younger people coming through,” he said.

“It takes consistent effort over time, not just concentrated effort leading up to a campaign.”

The 2022 election brought forward an unusually high number of candidates vying for the seat of Barker.

Mount Gambier resident Russell Smith had strong words for Liberal incumbent Tony Pasin. Picture: Arj Ganesan

Among the nine candidates was Maddy Fry, a quirky candidate who during the pre-poll unleashed a wild Facebook rant claiming there was a black market for aborted foetuses.

The win for Mr Pasin was heavily predicted, during the pre-pol 100 people in Mount Gambier were surveyed with Mr Pasin claiming 54 per cent of the vote with Labor trailing on 24.

Prior to the electoral win staunch Labor supporter Russell Smith hoped Mr Pasin’s bid would end up “in the garbage bin”, but held little hope given Barker is a safe Liberal seat.