Victorian election 2022: Kim O’Keefe wins Shepparton, Suzanna Sheed concedes

Two-term independent MP Suzanna Sheed has addressed supporters, conceding defeat to the Nationals.

Former mayor Kim O’Keefe has put the Nationals back on top in Shepparton with a comprehensive win over incumbent Suzanna Sheed.

At about 9:30pm Ms O’Keefe addressed her supporters with a victory speech after 70 per cent-plus of votes had been counted.

It is a resounding victory for the Nationals following a swing of more than 10 per cent away from Ms Sheed. On a two-party preferred basis, Ms O’Keefe leads with 53.15 per cent of the vote.

Kim O'Keefe with supporters at her election party.

Ms O’Keefe said she was excited to get to work.

“I’m really excited and thrilled,” she said.

“I have run a postive, bright and caring campaign and it showed my brand and the person I am. Because I genuinely care and commit because I want to do the job well.”

Ms O’Keefe said in her speech after spending the time on council she was hungry for more.

“When I joined the Nats, I said ‘what opportunities are there because I’m not done’.

“My journey wasn’t done and I am so happy to get this opportunity to represent our region in state parliament.

“We should be so proud of our region

“We need a really strong member, we need someone who’s going to really stick up for what we deserve and the investment that we need and I’m that person.”

At about 8.15pm Ms Sheed had addressed her team to concede defeat.

7.30PM

The early signs are not good for Shepparton incumbent Suzanna Sheed as the Nationals look likely to claim the marginal seat.

Nationals candidate and former City of Greater Shepparton mayor Kim O’Keefe has raced out to an early lead with 3325 first-preference votes (31.33 per cent) ahead of Sheed’s 3050 (28.74 per cent) after 22 per cent of the vote has been counted

Liberal candidate Cheryl Hammer, in her second attempt to represent the electorate, is sitting in third with 2202 first-preference votes (20.75 per cent).

Cheryl Hammer at her election party in Shepparton.

But her preferences combined with O’Keefe are mounting a strong challenge to Sheed.

Liberal candidate Cheryl Hammer said her motivation to run again was to oust the Andrews government.

“Whether the seat goes to myself or Kim it is a seat for the Coalition and I feel we will have done our job,” she said.

“The Coalition policies are very similar and so the difference between me and Kim is just the people we are.

“We went around to 9-10 polling booths today and there was a positive feeling.”

In the two-candidate preferred count, which provides an early indication of election results but has no status in determining the actual election outcome, Cheryl Hammer has a whopping early advantage 56.4 per cent to 43.5 per cent.

The early vote counts indicate a major swing back towards the Coalition, particularly the National party, after Sheed’s two terms as an independent.

At the 2018 election Nationals candidate Peter Schwarz fell to third place in the race, receiving just 13 per cent of the primary vote.

7pm

A late night is expected for those waiting to see who will represent the marginal Shepparton district electorate, as voting booths closed in the Goulburn Valley.

Volunteers said voters had held their opinions close to their chest with preferences expected to play a big part in who will represent the region.

Federal Nicholls MP Sam Birrell, who was at St Brendan’s Primary School in Shepparton on Saturday evening as the last few voters filed in, said while the voter sentiment for Nationals candidate Kim O’Keefe was positive the count was expected to be very tight.
The seat is currently held by two-term independent Suzanna Sheed with Cheryl Hammer contesting for the Liberal Party.

Volunteers for Nationals candidate Kim O'Keefe.

“It is too close to call, the three main candidates have big profiles and are well-liked,” Mr Nicholls said.

“Kim has had a strong community profile for a long time and is very well known.

“There is also a mood that voters are looking for a change of government.”

Shek Kamara, a truck driver and security guard, said he was supporting Mrs O’Keefe because of her performance during her time as mayor.

“As mayor she did a lot for people and I think she will do more,” he said

“She did a lot for my community during Covid and helping people with food and supplies while we were in isolation and lockdowns.”

Longtime Shepparton local Jim O’Connor said she supporting incumbent Ms Sheed and was also expecting a late night result.

“It has been a revelation to see what can be done when we have an independent candidate,” Mr O’Connor said.

“I’m expecting we won’t know the result for a day or so, it is going to be close.”

Adrian Falsetta said he was supporting Liberal candidate Cheryl Hammer.

“Voters were holding their opinions very close to their chest,” he said.

“The feeling from today is that it will be close. If there is a swing it depends how big it is and if the swing is large enough.

“We will have to wait and see.”

EARLIER

After eight years of being held by independent incumbent Suzanna Sheed, Shepparton is preparing for a marginal, three-way race for a seat which could shape Victoria’s next government.

Securing the former National Party stronghold of Shepparton will be key to the Coalition’s plan to topple the Andrews government after the polls close on Saturday.

For the past eight years Mrs Sheed, a former lawyer, has represented Shepparton after she claimed it from the National Party in 2014.

Mrs Sheed was elected for a second term in 2018 when her primary vote reached 38.4 per cent giving her a 5.3 per cent margin to the Liberals’ Cheryl Hammer, while the Nationals slipped to third.

Suzanna Sheed. Picture: Zoe Phillips

Mrs Sheed said she has seen $1.5 billion of investment to the Shepparton District through projects like rail upgrades and $229 million funding for the first stage of Goulburn Valley Health’s redevelopment during her tenure.

This year Mrs Sheed is campaigning for flood recovery, the second river crossing project, health care and preventing government water buybacks.

Former Shepparton mayor Kim O’Keefe is tasked with arresting the Nationals’ declining popularity in Shepparton.

Mrs O’Keefe has served on the Shepparton City Council since 2016, as mayor four times and as deputy mayor once.

Kim O'Keefe

In June Mrs O’Keefe resigned from her position as Mayor for Greater Shepparton City Council and took a leave of absence due to her state government tilt.

Mrs O’Keefe and her Nationals team are pledging improvements to health care, roads and flood recovery after much of the Goulburn Valley was hit hard this spring.

Shepparton Liberal candidate Cheryl Hammer is running again after falling short against Mrs Sheed in 2018.

Ms Hammer, who has served as the CEO of the Greater Shepparton Foundation, has pledged $20 million towards the redevelopment of the Shepparton Sports Stadium.

The Liberals are also targeting health care and want to build a second river crossing between Mooroopna and Shepparton.

There are six other candidates on the Shepparton ballot paper including Liam Cowan representing the Labor Party and Ian Christoe for the Greens.