Victorian Election: Labor set to win Ashwood, Box Hill, Bayswater, Monbulk

Labor MPs have thanked voters after winning a number of crucial seats in the east, with Liberal candidates calling for change after the party’s crushing defeat.

Ashwood Labor candidate Matt Fregon has won the seat.

Labor is celebrating victory in a number of crucial seats across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

The party is set to win the seats of Ashwood, Glen Waverley, Box Hill, Ringwood, Bayswater, and Monbulk.

New Ringwood Labor MP Will Fowles, previously the Labor MP for Burwood, posted online: “Thank you, Ringwood. I won’t let you down.”

In Bayswater, incumbent Labor MP Jackson Taylor is set to be elected for a second term, beating Liberal candidate Nick Wakeling, formerly the member of the now abolished seat of Ferntree Gully.

“Thank you so much for your support to continue to be your Labor Member for Bayswater,” Mr Taylor wrote on Facebook.

Daniela De Martino is set to become the new Labor MP for Monbulk, replacing retiring former deputy premier James Merlino.

“Thank you Monbulk for putting your trust in Labor and in me, to do what matters for this wonderful district,” Ms De Martino posted on Facebook.

“I will work hard to represent you all and be a strong advocate for Monbulk – from the parts of Ferntree Gully, The Basin and Boronia that lie within, all the way east to Gembrook.”

John Mullahy is also celebrating becoming the new Glen Waverley MP.

“We did it! Now the real work starts. Thank you Glen Waverley,” he posted.

In Croydon, Liberal MP David Hodgett retained his seat, while in Evelyn Liberal MP Bridget Vallence was also re-elected.

The Liberals also held onto the seat of Rowville, with Kim Wells re-elected.

Box Hill Liberal candidate Nicole Ta-Ei Werner says she is “a bit astonished” at Saturday night’s result, with the seat retained by the Labor Party.

Incumbent Box Hill Labor MP Paul Hamer had secured 58.04 per cent of the two candidate preferred vote late on Saturday night, compared to Ms Ta-Ei Werner’s 41.96 per cent.

Mr Hamer thanked Box Hill voters on Sunday.

“I’m looking forward to working hard over the next four years to keep delivering for our wonderful diverse community,” he posted on Facebook.

Ms Ta-Ei Werner conceded defeat on Sunday.

“Congratulations to Paul Hamer MP on his successful election in Box Hill.

“All the best for the future.

“A huge thank you to everyone who was involved in my campaign – to every volunteer and supporter.”

Speaking on Saturday night Ms Ta-Ei Werner said: “We don’t know the outcome yet, so I’m still hopeful, but it is disappointing, it’s not the way we thought it would go,” she said.

“I’m remaining optimistic for the pre-poll and postal votes, and hoping that it does come back our way but we’ll see.

Box Hill Liberal candidate Nicole Ta-Ei Werner. Picture: Ian Currie

“The mood of the voters was so positive, I’m almost astonished at the result we’ve seen tonight, because of how many people I spoke to who were voting for us and said they were sick and tired of the government that they were under, sick and tired of the corruption, and Daniel Andrews, so I’m a bit confused.

“The pre-poll mood and sentiment was really positive, obviously it’s not reflected in the results tonight but I’m still hoping.

“It’s definitely not the way I thought it would go, but obviously there’s a bit for us to do as a party.”

Liberal candidate for Ashwood Asher Judah says it’s a “change or die” moment for the Victorian Liberal Party, as they try to recover from Saturday night’s crushing defeat.

Mr Judah said there was no pathway to victory for the Liberals in Ashwood.

Incumbent Labor MP Matt Fregon had secured 57.63 per cent of the two candidate preferred vote late on Saturday night, compared to Mr Judah’s 42.37 per cent.

“It seems to me there is a significant hangover from the federal election and the repudiation of the federal Liberal party in this result,” Mr Judah said.

“The Liberal Party brand in Victoria has not recovered and serious questions need to be asked as to why this was not detected and dealt with over the last six months.

“I am of the view that the Liberal Party is at a change or die moment in Victoria and if it does not change it will never achieve majority government.”

Speaking at a polling booth at Ashwood High School on Saturday, Mr Fregon said voters had reacted well to Labor’s positive agenda.

He said the cost of living and health had been among the key issues raised by voters, along with Labor’s plan to bring back the State Electricity Commission.