Elsie Lange
Labor MP Rob Mitchell said he was “grateful” to have been re-elected in the seat of McEwen, as his party swept into government on Saturday night.
“I think what it clearly showed is progressive, fair, and positive politics really played out,” Mr Mitchell said.
With 66.2 per cent of votes counted, Mr Mitchell had secured 54 per cent of the two party preferred count as of 2pm on Sunday, May 22.
That represented a 1.3 per cent swing against Labor.
Mr Mitchell told Star Weekly his priority in the region would be delivering his promises, including $15 million for the Macedon Ranges Regional Sports Precinct.
“It’s the one thing that I’ve always done – is make sure every promise is delivered and that will not change.”
On the first preference vote, Mr Mitchell had polled 37 per cent, 2.3 per cent less than at the 2019 election, while Liberal candidate Richard Welch polled 33 per cent, down 2.2 per cent on the last Liberal candidate Phillip Fusco.
The Liberals campaigned hard in McEwen, with Scott Morrison visiting the seat twice.
A Star Weekly tally also revealed the Liberals poured $1.9 billion in election promises and budget commitments into McEwen.
“[We’ve got a] mammoth job ahead of us, to turn the country around and start making it a fairer place, where the focus is on people and building a better nation,” Mr Mitchell said.
“There’s going to be a lot to do. Until the polls are declared, we’re just tidying everything up.”
He said it was a “huge honour” to represent his “wonderful community”.
“It’s not about me winning, it’s never been about my importance. It’s about the importance of the people that we represent,” Mr Mitchell said.
“I know there’s going to be millions of people across the country who are now going to be better off because they’re going to have a government on their side.”
