Animal Justice Party’s Andy Meddick in line for Upper House seat in Western Victoria

Geelong-based animal advocate Andy Meddick is in line to pull off an upset and claim an Upper House seat in Western Victoria, despite garnering just 2.69 per cent of the primary vote.

Animal Justice Party candidate Andy Meddick is in line for an Upper House seat. Picture: Alison Wynd

Geelong-based animal advocate Andy Meddick is in line to pull off an upset and claim an Upper House seat in Western Victoria.

The Animal Justice Party’s regional leader stands to be the big winner from the myriad preference deals that influence the make-up of the Legislative Council.

After almost 45 per cent of the vote had been counted, the Liberals’ Joshua Morris and Vote 1 Local Jobs’ James Purcell have nominally lost their re-election bids.

Labor had retained its two experienced sitting members, with Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford and Geelong’s Gayle Tierney to serve for a fourth term.

Beverley Macarthur — who replaced the retiring Simon Ramsay — was the only Liberal candidate set to be elected.

Two Geelong residents were holding the fourth and fifth seats, with Mr Meddick joined by police officer Stuart Grimley of Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party.

Derryn Hinch and his Justice Party candidate Stuart Grimley at the Geelong Waterfront. Picture: Peter Ristevski

If Mr Meddick holds his place in the top five, he will Victoria’s first Animal Justice Party parliamentarian and just the second in Australia.

“Counting is still underway, but we are very hopeful,” he told the Geelong Advertiser.

“We hope we get the result we’re looking for and we can look after the animals from the Upper House.”

The AJP had recorded just 2.69 per cent of the primary vote, but complex preference deals among the 19 parties contesting the region are in its favour.

The fledgling micro-party has been buoyed by relatively strong results in the Lower House, with Bronwen Baker tracking at more than 6.6 per cent in the northern suburbs seat of Lara.

The candidate built a profile on the back of a successful campaign against a large goat farm facility in Lara.

Prospective elected candidates in Western Victoria.

1: Jaala Pulford — Labor

2: Beverley McArthur — Liberal

3: Gayle Tierney — Labor

4: Andy Meddick — Animal Justice Party

5: Stuart Grimley — Derryn Hinch Justice Party

Percentage vote counted: 44.78%

Originally published as Animal Justice Party’s Andy Meddick in line for Upper House seat in Western Victoria