Tasmanian Legislative Council elections: Vote count begins

The Upper House posts for Montgomery and Pembroke have been called, while Nelson remains a three-way contest unlikely to be resolved soon.

Independent candidate for Nelson Madeleine Ogilvie in Sandy Bay on Saturday ahead of Legislative Council elections for Nelson and Pembroke. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

UPDATED, 11.30PM: LIBERAL and Labor incumbents will return to their Upper House posts in Montgomery and Pembroke — but Nelson remains a three-way contest unlikely to be resolved quickly.

Montgomery Liberal MLC Leonie Hiscutt was returned to the Upper House for another six years with 9802 first preference votes — or 43.98 per cent — before 8.30pm yesterday (SAT).

Labor candidate Michelle Rippon trailed on 5726 first preferences or 25.69 per cent of the vote.

Pembroke MLC Jo Siejka was returned with a comfortable 8380 first preference votes, or 45.17 per cent of primaries. Liberal candidate Kristy Johnson attracted 4710 first preferences (25.39 per cent).

“I’m honoured by the result tonight and am looking forward to the next six years,” Ms Siejka wrote on Facebook.

“Also a big thanks to all my supporters — without your help this wouldn’t have been possible.”

Poll analyst Kevin Bonham last night said he did not see the seats changing after preferences were taken into account.

“We’ve never seen such leads overturned in these things,” Dr Bonham said.

Nelson was a tighter race — and could take up to 10 days to be resolved.

Liberal candidate Nic Street last night led the field of 10 candidates vying to represent the Southern electorate with 4461 votes — 23.76 per cent of first preferences.

Independent Vica Bayley was second with 2984 votes, or 15.89 per cent, and independent Meg Webb third with 2598 or 13.83 per cent of first preferences.

“Only the top three can win and of those I think it’s very difficult for Street because there are too many left-wing preferences,” Dr Bonham said.

“I hear people are preferencing to a higher degree and a lot of preferences are split between Bayley and Webb.

“There are various reports from scrutineers on possible preference flows.”

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UPDATED, 9PM: THE Liberal and Labor incumbents will return to their Upper House posts for Montgomery and Pembroke – but Nelson remains a three-way contest unlikely to be resolved soon.

Montgomery Liberal MLC Leonie Hiscuitt was returned with 9802 first preference votes (43.98 per cent) before 8.30pm Saturday.

Labor candidate Michelle Rippon trailed on 5726 first preferences (25.69 per cent) of the vote.

Pembroke MLC Jo Siejka was returned with a comfortable 8380 first preference votes (45.17 per cent). Liberal candidate Kristy Johnson attracted 4710 first preferences (25.39 per cent).

Nelson Liberal candidate Nic Street Saturday night led the field for the Southern electorate with 4461 votes (23.76 per cent) of first preferences.

Independent Vica Bayley was second with 2984 votes (15.89 per cent) and independent Meg Webb third with 2598 or 13.83 per cent of first preferences.

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EARLIER, 7.30PM: COUNTING has started in three of the Tasmanian Legislative Council divisions after a busy day at polling booths.

At 7.19pm tonight, first preference figures showed Liberal candidate Leonie Hiscutt was leading the count in Montgomery by a fair margin with 6137 votes. Trailing behind her was Labor candidate Michelle Rippon with 3707 votes.

Liberal MLC for Montgomery Leonie Hiscutt (left) with candidate for Pembroke, Kristy Johnson and candidate for Nelson, Nic Street. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

It was very tight race between several Nelson candidates at 7.28pm, but Nic Street from the Liberal Party was in first place with 2186 votes locked in.

Independents Vica Bayley, Madeleine Ogilvie and Meg Webb all had more than 1000 votes recorded under their names.

Independent candidate for Nelson Vica Bayley. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

As at 7.30pm, Labor candidate Jo Siejka had secured 45.89 per cent of votes counted in Pembroke, with 4416. Kristy Johnson’s name had been ticked off on 24.83 per cent of ballot forms.

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