Federal election 2019 results: Spence electorate | Champion of the northern suburbs

Elizabeth-born Labor MP Nick Champion is the first federal MP for the new seat of Spence.

Nick Champion and his wife Fiona. Picture: Dylan Coker

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The northern suburbs working-class heartland has stuck with local boy Nick Champion, who says they responded to Labor’s message of creating a “fairer” society with better services.

Mr Champion, 47, was on the path to a crushing victory late last night, holding a 63-37 lead and recording a small swing in Labor’s favour

He becomes the first MP for the new seat of Spence, which takes in the traditionally strong Labor northern suburbs from Salisbury to Gawler, across to Virginia and down to One Tree Hill.

Few people said they had voted for his Liberal opponent, Kathleen Bourne, with most saying they had not seen or heard from her.

“At times, I think the Liberals just put up a sacrificial goat in this seat,” said one Liberal member outside the One Tree Hill polling booth.

Mr Champion promised $3 million for the Playford Sport Precinct and 50 new Centrelink jobs in the northern suburbs if Labor wins.

FEDERAL

2019

Adelaide

Barker

Boothby

Grey

Hindmarsh

Kingston

Makin

Mayo

Spence

Sturt

Mr Champion said he was looking forward to continue representing the northern suburbs, which he believed were often unfairly stigmatised.

“There’s a lot of good people out here doing a lot of good things,” he said.

“It’s almost become so much more multicultural.”