Federal election 2022: Sam Birrell hangs on to win Nicholls

Incoming Nicholls MP Sam Birrell says he has a “fight on his hands” dealing with a Labor government on agricultural issues.

Incoming Nicholls MP Sam Birrell concedes he has a “fight on his hands” dealing with a Labor government on agricultural issues including the Murray Darling Basin Plan.

Mr Birrell emerged victorious from the Nationals’ toughest fight in the seat where its margin was slashed from more than 20 per cent three years to under five per cent.

The high profile independent campaign led by Shepparton businessman Rob Priestly succeeded in making Nicholls marginal with a similar assault already being plotted in three years time.

Newly elected Nicholls MP Sam Birrell and his wife Lisa in Shepparton on Saturday night. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Unlike, the retiring Damian Drum who had the benefit of the Coalition being in office for his two terms in Canberra, Mr Birrell has to work with the new government from the opposition benches.

“There are some people who don’t really get the regions and who may do things that may damage our communities,” he said.

“We’ve got to advocate, explain and fight to make sure our communities remain prosperous.”

During the election campaign, Labor didn’t rule out more buybacks in delivering the final 450GL in environmental flows which immediately put the Goulburn Valley irrigation community on notice.

Independent candidate Rob Priestly and his wife Sonia on election night. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Mr Priestly said his campaign has had a “significant impact” on the electorate.

“We’ve definitely moved to a place where it is winnable,” he said.

“People are a lot more engaged than they were last time.

“It may not be me out front next time, but there are a whole lot of the community who know how to do this and know how it works.

“The Nats have also got some real challenges with the demographics of their supporter base.”

Saturday 11pm

Sam Birrell is refusing to claim victory for the Nationals in the seat of Nicholls despite leading independent rival Rob Priestly late on election night when Labor swept to victory nationally.

With 80 per cent of votes counted, the first time Nationals candidate who seeks to replace retiring Damian Drum is in front on the two-candidate preferred count with 55.4 per cent.

But Mr Birrell was stopping short of declaring he would be his replacement in Canberra.

“I’m taking nothing for granted, but it is looking better for us,” he said.

“We will see as more votes come in, but the experts are telling me we’re looking good.

“I’m not claiming anything at this point.

“I’ve always believed the Nationals have delivered under Damian Drum and we can deliver again and the best platform for delivery for the regions is the National Party.”

Mr Birrell has more than 1000 first preference votes than Mr Priestly with Liberal Steve Brooks snaring 18 per cent of the primary vote, buffering some of the Nationals losses.

Saturday 10pm: Priestly stops short of conceding defeat

Independent Rob Priestly has stopped short of conceding defeat to Nationals’ Sam Birrell in the hotly contested northern Victorian seat of Nicholls.

With 76 per cent of votes counted, Birrell is still holding onto a 9 per cent lead on a two candidate preferred basis ahead of Priestly.

“The pathway to victory is getting narrower,” Mr Priestly said.

“If you’re having a punt it’s going to be a Nats victory.

“We will give it a shake, the seat will be marginal, but we may not get over the line.”

Saturday 9.10pm: Birrell leads tight tussle

Nationals candidate Sam Birrell is in front on primary votes in the high-profile tussle for the northern Victorian seat of Nicholls. With 63 of the 75 polling booths reporting, Mr Birrell is leading with 27.44 per cent of the primary vote to independent challenger Rob Priestly’s 25.91 per cent. Liberal candidate Steve Brooks is in third spot, having snared 16.93 per cent of the vote.

There is a three-cornered contest in Nicholls this election due to the retirement of former Nationals MP Damian Drum.

With 51 booths in Nicholls reporting a two-party preferred vote, Mr Birrell leads Mr Priestly 54 per cent to 46 per cent.

Earlier, Mr Priestly spoke to more than 150 supporters about the “surreal ride” as he attempts to snatch the seat.

Mr Priestly said he was polling better in the rural areas, but the vote was “softer” in Shepparton where the big booths will have a big say in the outcome.

Saturday 8pm: Birrell takes early lead in tight contest

A tight contest has emerged in the northern Victorian seat of Nicholls with Nationals candidate Sam Birrell taking an early lead.

With 45 of the 75 polling places returned, Birrell has snared about 28 per cent of the primary vote. Independent Rob Priestly is snapping at iis heels with 27 per cent and Liberal Steve Brooks is running third on almost 16 per cent.

Saturday 5.30pm: Election count begins in Nicholls

Nicholls Liberal candidate Steve Brooks has finished a hectic final day of the election campaign with a last-minute sweep of polling booths in the electorate’s largest population centre, Shepparton.

He stopped by the St Brendan’s Primary School booth in the final hours of voting and reported a “lot of positive support” as he attempted to win back the seat for the Liberals.

Sharman Stone last held the seat for the Liberals in 2016 when it was known as Murray before the name change to Nicholls and Damian Drum was successful for the Nationals.

“It’s hard to tell, but so far I’m really happy with the feedback and at 6pm all the votes will be in,” Mr Brooks said.

He also went to Lockington and Numurkah on the last day of a campaign in which he is up against Coalition rival Sam Birrell and independent Rob Priestly.

Jim O’Connor, who was handing out for Mr Priestly at the St Brendan’s booth, said the day had gone “extremely well”.

“The weather has been perfect and the volunteers for Rob Priestly have been so enthusiastic,” he said.

“They’ve been so keen that I can’t get them to take a break and go home.

“The feeling is Rob is in with a chance.”

Liberal volunteer Adrian Falsetta also confirmed the “respectful” attitude of the rival parties.

“I can’t complain,” he said. “Everyone up is very respectful and we just hand out the how to vote cards and await the outcome now.

“Steve is a genuine bloke and I think he will do well. But we’re in the hands of the gods.”

Volunteers for Mr Birrell at the St Brendan’s booth declined to speak to The Weekly Times.

Saturday 6am: Nicholls on the cusp of history

There is never-before-seen interest in the Nicholls electorate which covers northern Victoria’s Goulburn Valley and its many irrigated farming communities.

Damian Drum’s retirement from the seat he has held for the Nationals since 2016 has been the catalyst for an intriguing three-way battle between the Nationals’ Sam Birrell, Liberal Stephen Brooks and independent Rob Priestly.

It has thrust a Victorian regional electorate onto the national stage on a level not seen since 2013 when neighbouring Indi was swept from the Coalition despite it winning office.

Mr Priestly is trying to create Victorian political history by making the region the first to be held by an independent at the national and state level with Suzanna Sheed being the MP for the state seat of Shepparton for the past eight years.

The National’s Sam Birrell (top right), independent Rob Priestly (bottom right) and Liberal’s Stephen Brooks (left) are in the running for the Nicholls electorate.