Linda Burney declares Barton win to become the first indigenous woman in House of Representatives
LINDA Burney has achieved another milestone for indigenous Australians, winning the seat of Barton to become the first Aboriginal woman elected to the federal lower house.
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LINDA Burney has achieved another milestone for indigenous Australians, winning the seat of Barton to become the first Aboriginal woman elected to the federal lower house.
The former NSW deputy opposition leader declared victory around 7,20pm, defeating Liberal MP Nickolas Varvaris, who served one term in office.
With more than 45 per cent of the vote counted, the ALP had won the seat with a 3 per cent two-party preferred swing.
“I have to say that this win is not just about me, it’s about the people of Barton, the people around me.
“And we have made history tonight on the 2nd of July, 2016, by electing the first indigenous woman in the House of Representatives ever in this country.”
Ms Burney said Bill Shorten and the federal Labor team had been magnificent and ran a wonderful campaign.
“Barton has created history tonight,” she said. “I am grateful I have been chosen as the member.
“It’s been a wonderful campaign by Labor, Bill Shorten and everyone.”
The high-profile ALP candidate received the blessing of Labor heavyweight Anthony Albanese to shift to federal politics after 13 years as state member for Canterbury.
Her tilt at Barton against Mr Varvaris was boosted by the seat’s redistribution to include traditional Labor areas such as Marrickville and parts of Canterbury, changing it to a notionally Labor seat.
“Today is a massive day and I have been up since 4.30 with nerves,” Ms Burney said ahead of the result.
“We’ve had a magnificent team working day and night for eight weeks — 15, 16, 17 hour days.
“It has been a big decision for me to leave the state parliament — I did it with great sadness but it was time for me to move on.”
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“In this seat, the issues have been the ones that dominated this election - health and education.
“People cannot afford to have Medicare frittered away.”
Mr Varvaris said he has done as much as he could.
“I’ve fought as hard as I can to keep the seat,” he said.
“Trying to get a 12 per cent swing across two elections is a hard ask for any member.”
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