Indi MP Helen Haines celebrates retaining seat

Independent Indi MP Helen Haines says her people have “rocked the system” in her winning speech at Wangaratta.

Independent Indi MP Helen Haines says her people have “rocked the system” in her winning speech at Wangaratta on Saturday.

Hundreds gathered at the Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre on Saturday to celebrate Dr Haines’ victory.

As of 10.30pm on Saturday Dr Haines had 40.56 per cent of the vote.

She thanked her supporters and said her team had “given the free of Australian demoscracy one helluva shake”.

“It’s almost three years ago to the day that I stood here and locked eyes with you in this crowded room,” she said.

“We celebrated what everyone said could not be done and that was to follow an independent with an independent. But we did it.

Former Indi MP @Indigocathy is down at the Wodonga Senior Secondary School volunteering for @helenhainesindi#AusVotes22
“I think it’s going to be really tight between @helenhainesindi and the Liberals,” McGowan said. pic.twitter.com/5bBQt3hwJt

— Hannah Davies (@haannahdavies) May 21, 2022

Dr Haines casting her vote at Wangaratta High School. Photo: Supplied.

Ross Lyman with his two children after casting his vote. Picture: Supplied.

“We showed the nation that our democracy thread was strong and true.

“Good people of Indi we have rocked the system.

“We have rocked the cradle for our future, now when we tell our story the nation listens.”

Dr Haines was elected in 2019 when she became the first Independent MP to follow another Independent MP in taking over from Cathy McGowan.

She most recently backed plans to create a new single-site hospital for Albury-Wodonga and supports a new eating disorder recovery centre on the border.

Ross Lyman’s Liberal party gathered at The Goods Shed in Wodonga.

Originally published as Indi MP Helen Haines celebrates retaining seat