Labor MP Kirstie Marshall close to defeat after bizarre media gag

LABOR MP Kirstie Marshall all but conceded her seat of Forest Hill last night after a self-imposed bizarre media gag on election day.

LABOR MP Kirstie Marshall all but conceded her seat of Forest Hill last night after a self-imposed bizarre media gag on election day capped her rocky parliamentary career.

The former Olympic skier said she looked forward to spending more time with family, including her ill daughter, after a 4.1 per cent swing to the Liberals put Neil Angus in prime position to claim the marginal seat.

Marshall's behaviour in recent weeks had been unusual and she didn't disappoint yesterday.

She declared, through a spokesman, she would not take part in any media engagements.

Ms Marshall, who held the seat by only 0.8 per cent, went into hiding, refusing to speak about her hopes of re-election.

A statement issued through her electorate office to the Sunday Herald Sun yesterday afternoon said: "Kirstie will not be doing any interviews today or tonight. She will not be having any (photo) shots done during the day or at her function tonight."

A staffer said Ms Marshall "wanted her privacy" and wanted to thank her supporters. But an hour later she changed her mind.

She agreed to speak to the Sunday Herald Sun while trying to sway voters at polling booths.

Ms Marshall agreed to an interview and photo shoot at Livingstone Primary school in Vermont South.

When asked why the ban was imposed she said: "I have no idea."

But after posing for one photo, she used an umbrella to hide from the cameras.

Mr Angus was surprised by Ms Marshall's actions.

"Normally if you're expecting a good result you want to talk about it and celebrate it," Mr Angus said.

Last month Ms Marshall agreed to an interview several times, but when the Sunday Herald Sun travelled to Forest Hill to meet her, she and Labor staffer Sebastian Zwalf called it off.

When asked why that meeting was off, she said: "I trust Sebastian."

As the counting started last night, she gathered with supporters at the Sofia Restaurant in Burwood.

An emotional Ms Marshall said she was proud of her eight years in parliament.

"This wasn't just a job, it's the best opportunity I've ever had," she said.