Mayo by-election: Georgina Downer says she is in for the long haul

In a rare media appearance, Georgina Downer says she has committed to the seat of Mayo for the “long haul”.

Georgina Downer says she has committed to the South Australian seat of Mayo for the “long haul” regardless of the outcome of this weekend’s Super Saturday by-election.

In a rare media appearance on Sky News’ PM Live show this evening, Ms Downer said it had been an “absolute pleasure” returning to South Australia after 20 years and wasn’t “going anywhere” regardless of the Mayo by-election outcome.

Ms Downer, whose father, former Liberal leader Alexander Downer held Mayo from 1984 to 2008, said she was still hopeful she would win the looming by-election and plans to recontest the seat at the Federal election.

“I’m running to win on Saturday and my intention is to run next year, hopefully as the federal member for re-election,” Ms Downer said.

The Mayo candidate also dismissed claims she was an “outsider or opportunist” from Melbourne, saying: “I grew up in the electorate, my family has been living in the Adelaide Hills area for over 100 years and I’m a Hills girl through and through.”

Ms Downer, who has consistently lagged behind Central Alliance candidate Rebekha Sharkie in the polls, said the cost of living and power prices were the key concerns among her constituents.

When asked whether Australia should pull out of the Paris Agreement on climate, Ms Downer said while it hadn’t been raised by her constituents, it wouldn’t be wise for Australia to “trash international agreements they’ve signed up to.”

“Australia has a good international reputation of standing by its word, of course when dealing with issues such as climate change of course it’s an international approach that’s the best course of action.”

She also slammed South Australian MP and Ms Sharkie’s colleague, Frank Pangallo’s “ludicrous suggestion” to build a $10 billion bridge connecting the mainland to Kangaroo Island.

Ms Downer’s opponent, Ms Sharkie won Mayo at the last federal election but was forced to resign earlier this year after becoming embroiled in the dual-citizenship saga.