Groom votes: MP Garth Hamilton congratulates Anthony Albanese, says Coalition must learn from federal election result

Garth Hamilton will be returning to federal politics, despite a swing against him, and two independents have recorded a historic result. Groom election wrap here:

Groom MP Garth Hamilton says the LNP needs to “restore its credibility” after a shocking national election result that also included an eight per cent swing against the party.

Mr Hamilton was comfortably returned to the safe conservative seat in Toowoomba, after attracting 62 per cent of the vote on a two-party-preferred basis against Labor.

While postal votes still need to be counted, as of Sunday the LNP’s primary vote suffered a significant drop of 12 points to sit at 41 per cent in Groom.

If it was to remain below 50 per cent, it would be the first time since the LNP became a united party in 2008 that the conservative side of politics needed preferences to win.

Mr Hamilton will join a much smaller group of colleagues in opposition in the next term, after Labor set it sights on a likely majority victory across Australia.

Mr Hamilton congratulated Labor leader Anthony Albanese on his win, while also reflecting on the past term of government.

“While I am in political opposition to him, I do hope for the sake of the country that he has good fortune and good health during his time as our nation’s leader,” Mr Hamilton told his followers on Facebook on Sunday.

“Australia’s peaceful and respectful transition of power is one of the greatest attributes of our nation.

“Although there might not be much for the LNP to celebrate today, I do reflect with some pride on how wonderful Australia is.

“I am humbled to again be granted the opportunity to represent the great seat of Groom in our federal parliament. Thank you.”

Mr Hamilton said his party had to take note of the result, not just in Groom but across the country.

“It is important now that my party acknowledges the result and sets about restoring our credibility as the home of sensible, centre-right policy. We’ve much work to do,” he wrote.

Groom saw a far more decentralised result than it has seen in the past, with all but one of the candidates achieving at least five per cent of the primary vote.

It reflects national trends away from the major parties and towards minors and independents.

Meanwhile, Labor’s Gen Allpass says the LNP’s drop in primary support is a victory in itself, saying voters were declaring a need for change.

Ms Allpass, who achieved a small bump in Labor’s primary vote to sit above 19 per cent, said Mr Hamilton had been sent a message.

“They want change and someone who wants to work for the electorate,” she said.

“As women, we’re showing we need and deserve to be heard, we won’t forget how we’ve been treated by the Coalition, especially over the past few years.

“We will stand up and be counted and hold these men and this party to account.

“Garth will need to work hard, and we’ll be watching him all the way.”

Ms Allpass thanked her team of volunteers for supporting her, as well as the thousands of voters.

“All the people who came out and voted in the dreadful weather we’ve had, they expressed their democratic right,” she said. “I want to thank everyone for supporting me, it’s incredibly humbling.”

Greens candidate for Groom Mickey Berry talks to media at the Centenary Heights State High School polling booth. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Greens candidate Mickey Berry said they were happy with a primary vote of 6.27 per cent, which was slightly down from 2019.

“We did expect our result to drop a bit due to two independents running, so we’re very happy,” they said.

“People are definitely voting for change – watching the LNP vote drop and that lead drop is encouraging to see.”

One Nation’s Grant Abraham finished third with 9.91 per cent, followed by independents Suzie Holt and Kirstie Smolenski, Berry, the United Australia Party’s Melissa Bannister and the Australian Federation Party’s Ryan Otto.

Independents Kirstie Smolenski and Suzie Holt.

INDEPENDENTS RECORD HISTORIC VOTES

Groom's two independents have recorded historic results at the federal election, but they were not enough to shift the safe conservative seat to marginal status.

Suzie Holt (8.96 per cent) and Kirstie Smolenski (7.56 per cent) achieved the best and second-best results for an independent in Groom since the seat was formed in 1983, beating the previous record of 7.5 per cent by Vincent Burke at the 1988 by-election.

The pair had hoped to build on the sentiment away from the major parties.

Ms Holt, who had run a co-ordinated campaign and attracted significant media attention, said the election result highlighted voters’ shifting opinions on the LNP.

“With the drastic reduction in the LNP margin, it is clear the people of Groom wanted change,” she said.

“It is important than Mr Hamilton listens to the constituents of Groom and works with all members of our community to grow our region for the 21st century.”

“It has been an honour and a privilege to work with the community and my volunteers to show that Groom wants to see the sensible centre represented in politics.”

Ms Smolenski, who sank $35,000 of her own money into the campaign, said she was proud of her efforts.

“My aim was to shake the safe seat status, and I’m hoping that this has started to change that narrative,” she said.

Ms Smolenski denied the two candidates nullified each other by running separate campaigns, noting both teams had educated more of the public on the potential benefits of independent representation.

“What I do think is that having two independents running in such a safe seat meant double the education for voters,” she said.

“I certainly don’t believe if there was only one of us running, we would’ve affected as much change.”

United Australia Party candidate for Groom Melissa Bannister with supporter Cat Evans at the Centenary Heights State High School polling booth. Picture: Kevin Farmer

BANNISTER ‘VERY PROUD’ WITH RESULT

United Australia Party candidate Melissa Bannister says she is proud of the effort her team put in, after attracting a small bump in the party’s primary vote since 2019.

As of Sunday, Ms Bannister achieved a 5.75 per cent result, behind One Nation’s Grant Abraham on 9.91 per cent.

“Everyone knew we were up against it, so I’m really happy with that result,” she said.

“My team ran a really clean campaign and all the candidates have done a good job to make the seat more marginal.”

Mr Abraham, who finished third on first preferences, was contacted for comment.