Meg Webb announced as new member for the Upper House seat of Nelson

UPDATED: The new MLC for Nelson says she will apply a “women’s lens” to public policy in Tasmania’s Upper House.

New Nelson MLC Meg Webb at her home in West Hobart with her daughter Indy Ariston, 12. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

LATEST: NEW independent Nelson MLC Meg Webb says she will apply a “women’s lens” to public policy in Tasmania’s Upper House.

The Tasmanian Electoral Commission has confirmed Ms Webb as the Legislative Council’s newest member.

Following the distribution of preferences Ms Webb was elected with 59.26 per cent on a two-candidate preferred ahead of Liberal Nic Street who finished with 40.74 per cent.

Ms Webb benefited from fellow independent Vica Bayley’s preferences once he was eliminated from the count.

The 44-year-old from West Hobart said she felt “incredibly honoured” be the last woman standing from the field of 10 candidates vying for Nelson.

“I’m feeling incredibly honoured to have come through this process, I’m so grateful to the other candidates for running such positive campaigns, it was really issues focused...this was a fantastic example of democracy working really well,” she said.

The mother of three, who is manager of Anglicare Tasmania’s Social Action and Research Centre, shot to prominence in the state election as a spokeswoman for the anti-poker machine campaign.

However Ms Webb said bread-and-butter issues were consistently raised with her on the campaign trail.

“They were the things that have been the core of my work for 20 years in the community sector – things like health, housing affordability, access to services and the cost of living,” she said.

Ms Webb said she also wanted to be a champion for women.

“I want to apply a women’s lens to what I do. The first priority will be the whole community, but I will also be asking in this job what are the public policy implications on women ... women’s issues have always been a big part of my work.”

Counting in the election resumed on Tuesday following the election held on May 4.

Ms Webb will replace retiring MLC Jim Wilkinson.

Vica Bayley. Picture: EDDIE SAFARIK

UPDATE 4.55PM: Independent Meg Webb appears to be in the prime position to take the Upper House seat of Nelson.

With the elimination of independent candidate Madeleine Ogilvie from the count, Ms Webb has overtaken fellow independent Vica Bayley.

While Liberal candidate Nic Street remains in the lead on 35.6 per cent to her 34 per cent, Ms Webb is expected to benefit from the distribution of Mr Bayley’s preferences once he is elminated from the count.

UPDATE 3.45PM: JUST four candidates remain in the race for Nelson as the vote count continues.

Greens candidate Deborah Brewer is the latest to be eliminated from the count and have her preferences distributed.

Liberal Nic Street remains in the lead with 30.5 per cent of the vote, followed by independent Vica Bayley on 24.4 per cent.

Independent Meg Webb has made up ground to be nearly level with Mr Bayley on 23.3 per cent.

Independent Madeleine Ogilvie appears to be the next candidate to be eliminated. She has secured 21.8 per cent of the vote after the final round of preference distributions.

The other candidates so far excluded are Shooters, Fishers and Farmers candidate Lorraine Bennett and independents Blair Brownless, John Farmer, Richard Griffs and Robert Manning.

A final result is expected this afternoon.

Independent candidate for Nelson Madeleine Ogilvie in Sandy Bay. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

UPDATE 2.30PM: The first five candidates have been excluded from the count in Nelson, leaving five in the race.

Shooters, Farmers and Fishers Party candidate Loraine Bennett was the first to go, followed by independents Robert Manning and Richard Griggs. John Farmer and Blair Brownless have now also been excluded.

With five candidates left in the running, four appear to remain in contention: independents Vica Bayley and Meg Webb, plus Liberal Nic Street, with independent Madeleine Ogilvie an outside chance.

Counting of votes in the seat continues. FOLLOW LIVE

EARLIER:

THE result in the Upper House division of Nelson could be known today as counting resumes.

Ten candidates ran for the seat, which was vacated by the retirement of Jim Wilkinson.

At the close of counting a week ago, Liberal Nic Street was ahead on primary votes with 23.7 per cent.

Nic Street, Liberal candidate for Nelson, with grandmother Marie Golding, who is a resident of Kingston Beach. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

His closest rivals were independents Vica Bayley on 15.9 per cent and Meg Webb on 13.8 per cent.

MORE: STREET NOT EXPECTING TO WIN NELSON

The final result will be determined by the distribution of preferences as lower polling candidates are excluded.

Nelson was one of three upper house seat divisions which went to the polls on May 4.

Montgomery Liberal MLC Leonie Hiscutt was returned in Montgomery and Labor’s Jo Siejka in Pembroke.