Federal election 2022: Anne Webster set to win seat of Mallee

Nationals incumbent Anne Webster is set to win the seat of Mallee, leading by a comfortable margin.

Volunteers (from left to right) Beth Mayne, Mark McKee, Donald Mayne and Michael Clifford.

Nationals incumbent Anne Webster is set to win the seat of Mallee, leading by a 19.31 percent margin at 8.45pm.

The seat is the state’s largest electorate and is considered a safe National seat.

This year’s candidates included Carole Hart (Labor), Sam McColl (Greens), Stuart King (UAP), Chris Lahy (Australian Citizens Party), Sophie Baldwin (independent), Claudia Haenel (independent) and ghost candidate Vanessa Atkinson (One Nation).

On Saturday long-time Labor voter Diane Herbert said she had always voted in line with her parents but decided differently.

“I have always voted Labor and I am 70 years old, you always just did what your family did. But, this year I looked into another party and thought they would be better,” she said.

“The major parties are just as bad as each other,” she added.

Ms Herbert also said it was hard to get voters in Mallee to care because it had been a safe seat.

“People think it doesn’t really matter much around here because it is always the same winner,” she said.

Federal member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster casts her vote on Saturday morning at Mildura West Primary School.

Dr Webster at Mildura West Primary School.

At the Salvation Army Hall voters waited in a long queue.

“It has been flat out here all day,” a volunteer said.

“It’s good to see people getting out and casting their vote.”

Volunteers (from left to right) Beth Mayne, Mark McKee, Donald Mayne and Michael Clifford manned the sausage sizzle at the Salvation Army Hall during election day in Mildura.

Danni Sinclair, Penelope Sinclair, Jivanni Sinclair and Johno Sinclair.

One voter, Sharkil Nirzhar, said the federal election was of utmost importance.

“This is a democratic country and getting out to vote is one of the things we can do to appreciate that,” he said.

“Everyone should make an informed vote about who they think would be the right person to lead the country.”

But others weren’t so sure.

“I don’t even know what the parties are or what they do,” one young voter said.