Jubilant Opposition Leader John Pesutto says the Warrandyte win marks a new dawn for Vic Libs
The Victorian Liberal Party has claimed an emphatic victory in the critical Warrandyte by-election with the party on track to record a near 20 per cent margin.
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The Victorian Liberal Party has claimed an emphatic victory in the critical Warrandyte by-election with the party on track to record a near 20 per cent margin.
Candidate Nicole Werner boosted the Liberal’s primary vote by more than 10 per cent with the party leading the Greens on a two-party preferred count 73.2 to 26.8 per cent.
A jubilant Opposition Leader, John Pesutto, said the win marked a new dawn for the Victorian Liberal Party, and a repudiation of the state government in the first major test since May’s horror budget and the controversial cancellation of the Commonwealth Games.
“The people of Warrandyte have spoken for their fellow Victorians,” he said.
“They have said that they’re tired of the corruption, that they are tired of the incompetence, of the branch stacking, the misuse of taxpayer dollars and the breach of faith with the Victorian people.
“The people of Warrandyte have been the voice of all Victorians tonight in saying that they are tired of the cost of living increases, they are tired of their jobs being taxed, of their rents being taxed, tired of their schools being taxed.
“They want to be heard, they want to be respected, they want to be looked after and the people of Warrandyte have done their fellow Victorians a great service tonight because they have helped turn the tide in this state.”
An emboldened Mr Pesutto told a crowd of nearly 200 party faithful at the Ringwood Bowls Club that the party was committed to holding the government to account.
“I want to say to my nearly seven million fellow Victorians, things don’t have to be like this,” he said.
Despite Labor not choosing not to field a candidate at the election, senior Liberals had anticipated a drop in the party’s primary vote given Ms Werner was among a field of 12 candidates.
But the election proved a one horse race, with Greens candidate Tomas Lightbody, a local councillor, failing to make an impact.
The result stood in stark contrast to Ms Werner’s failed attempt to win the seat of Box Hill at last year’s general election.
She suffered an 8.9 per cent swing against her in the primary vote and ended with 42.8 per cent of the vote after preferences.
Warrandyte locals praised Ms Werner’s campaign effort in the almost three months since her predecessor, Ryan Smith, announced his resignation.
Ms Werner will enter parliament this week.
“Thank you for entrusting me with this honour,” she said.
“I am humbled that you will elect me and put your confidence in me and I recognise the responsibility that lies ahead.
“I will do my best to give my all every single day to fight for you and to serve our wonderful community.”
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