Federal election 2019 results: Grey electorate | Grey remains blue-ribbon for Ramsey

Grey MP Rowan Ramsey was cantering to a victory in his safe Liberal seat on Saturday night.

Paula Thompson

less than 2 min read

May 18, 2019 - 11:55PM

Sunday Mail (SA)

Rowan Ramsay and his wife Teresa voting at the Peterborough Town Hall on Saturday. Picture: Clive Palmer Photography

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Grey MP Rowan Ramsey has cantered to his fifth election victory in the rural South Australian seat of Grey.

By 9.30pm last night, the Kimba farmer had scored more than 50 per cent of first preference votes.

Mr Ramsey also won the seat with a 10 per cent lift in his primary vote.

He said the night was also a huge achievement for Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

“He sent a great message on the importance of sound economic management,” he said.

“I visited 14 booths, but having 117 in my electorate I obviously couldn’t get to all of them.

“People who employ casual workers will have to pay more penalty rates under a Labor government, and they’re really concerned about their future. “

Given Grey is a traditionally safe Liberal seat, even Labor volunteers were realistic about an upset victory by their candidate, Karin Bolton.

Geoff Phillips, who was handing out how-to-vote cards at Kadina, believed Mr Ramsey would win.

He attracted attention with his vintage pin of former Labor prime minister Bob Hawke, who passed away on Thursday.

“A few people came up and touched the pin, saying it was for good luck,” he quipped.