Federal election 2022: Results are in for Whitlam and Hume

While votes for the senate are still being counted, the seats for Hume and Whitlam have already been called. Here are the results and our rolling coverage of the action today from several booths.

While votes for the senate are still being counted, the seats for Hume and Whitlam have already been called.

In the division of Whitlam, Labor has retained its seat, with Stephen Jones securing 60 per cent of the votes. Although votes are still being counted, currently more than 45 per cent placed him first on their ballot, followed by Liberal party member Mike Cains at 25.5 per cent and Greens member Jamie Dixon at 12 per cent.

In Hume, Liberal Party member Angus Taylor has also retained his seat at 57 per cent. Currently, 42.6 per cent of people chose him as their first preference, with Labor Party member Greg Baines coming second at 19.6 per cent and Independent candidate Penny Ackery closely following at 15.5 per cent.

Ms Ackery’s votes are particularly interesting given that there was a 15.5 per cent swing towards her, expressing the extent of change in voter support compared to the last election.

Ms Ackery told the Bowral News she has not yet conceded, stating she was “pretty pleased with how things are tracking at the moment.”

“Everybody’s put in such an amazing effort and the time that our volunteers have spent has just been awesome,” Ms Ackery said.

“And looks like we may be justified as well, knowing that there’s a good swing towards us.”

Mr Taylor is currently at a private function in Goulburn celebrating his win, and The Bowral News has reached out for comment.

2pm

At around 12.30pm, the weather took a sour turn yet that didn't deter people from coming out to vote at Tahmoor Public School.

One of the booths I visited when covering Hume was Tahmoor Public School. The line snaked around the fence 🗳🌧 pic.twitter.com/5iSVQTv326

— Niki Iliagoueva (@NIliagoueva) May 21, 2022

There, The Bowral News caught up with member for Hume, Angus Taylor, who came out to say hello to the voters.

He spoke about how fixing roads are the number one issue people have been talking to him about in the area, and how the Liberal Party have committed to doing so with several initiatives such as $96 million for the Picton Bypass.

Angus Taylor is set to retain his seat as member for Hume. He spoke to me about the “number 1 issue” in the area that he’s been focusing on throughout his campaign. #auspolpic.twitter.com/I8jwq7Tssq

— Niki Iliagoueva (@NIliagoueva) May 21, 2022

At Tahmoor Public School, we also spoke to a Year 12 student, Diaan Nasser, who was campaigning for Labor candidate, Greg Baines.

Ms Nasser said she’s noticed that a lot of young people feel “disengaged” when it comes to voting and ”the whole political system itself.”

“A lot of young people seem to be not interested in voting to their own volition - sticking by their parents and what they’re voting for, which is a little sad to see,” Ms Nasser said.

She mentioned how she became involved in politics.

“From a young age I've been watching what’s been going on, I’ve always been deeply interested in people, their lives and the community as a whole,” Ms Nasser said.

“When I started paying attention to politics I was particularly drawn to the Labor Party, who I think represents the people most of all the parties, major or otherwise.”

12pm

At a booth at Moss Vale Public School, a volunteer group called the Moss Vale Public School Parents and Citizens Association gave the people what they wanted: democracy sausages and cake.

Treats like this are what make casting your vote fun, and as a bonus, the money raised goes towards a good cause.

“We are helping to raise funds for updating the the current equipment at the school playground,” said MVPS P&C president, Chrissie Taylor.

“And with our successful democratic sausage sizzle we are off to a good start!”

Volunteers Sarah Unsworth and Sally Banfield selling baked treats on election day.

Volunteers Richard Gifford and Luke Unsworth organising a sausage sizzle on election day.

10am

With election day finally upon us, thousands will be exercising their right to vote (and have a democracy sausage) in the Southern Highlands.

A line could already be seen at 8am at Mittagong High School, where The Bowral News caught up with federal member Stephen Jones at his first polling booth for the day.

Mr Jones has held the seat for 12 years and is a key figure in the Labor Party as the Shadow Assistant Treasurer and Shadow Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation.

Member for Whitlam, Stephen Jones, for the Labor Party, with former member Michael Baume for the Liberal Party. Picture: Niki Iliagoueva

Read about all the candidates that are contesting his seat here.

Mr Jones was happy to pose with who he jokingly called “the enemy” aka Liberal member for Whitlam between 1975 and 1983, Michael Baume, who used to be his neighbour.

Mr Baume said that at 91 years old he was still happy to be handing out political flyers and be involved in the action.

When asked how he’s feeling about today, Mr Jones said that he “always get nervous on election day mornings and this one is no different”.

“I’m cautiously optimistic but we will see. Today is about going to different booths, supporting the volunteers and getting as many voters as possible.”

Full list of polling booths in NSW: where to vote

While he said that most people seem to have made up their mind for who they will vote for, he does get asked about his stance on climate change.

“I believe we have to lean into the challenge of climate change and we’re taking policies to this election that will make our electricity cheaper, create jobs and reduce carbon emissions, which is probably supported in the Southern Highlands,” Mr Jones said.

Labor has committed to net zero emissions by 2050, along with a 2030 target of a 43 per cent cut in emissions.

Mr Jones also mentioned that people have expressed to him a want for a federal anti corruption commission.

“This have come up with me time and time again.”

Follow statewide live coverage of the election day here.

MORE TO COME.