By Jessica Micallef
Labor’s Josh Bull has been re-elected to the seat of Sunbury.
Mr Bull cruised to victory with almost 60 per cent of first preference votes as of 1.15pm Sunday.
He polled 18,232 votes ahead of Liberal candidate Cassandra Marr (10,195) and the Greens’ Ryan Keable (2091). The results showed a 5.4 per cent swing in Mr Bull’s favour.
Mr Bull told Star Weekly it was a wonderful privilege to be re-elected into the Sunbury seat.
“It’s been a remarkable win for Labor … it’s still all sinking in after the results came in,” Mr Bull said.
“I think what it shows is that our community voted for a positive plan and a positive set of commitments to the electorate.”
Mr Bull said he was looking forward to delivering on key election promises made for the Sunbury community.
“I think from day one, and over the last four years, we’ve outlined a really clear plan for our commitments for schools and roads,” Mr Bull said.
“I’m very excited about the upgrade to the Sunbury day hospital … duplication for Sunbury Road and I’m very excited for the removal of the Sunbury level crossing.
“I think the Premier’s really shown that if you get on and focus on the community, that’s what you’re elected to do, not focus on yourself.”
Meanwhile, Macedon remains a Labor seat after Mary-Anne Thomas was re-elected at the weekend.
With 50 per cent of first preference votes counted, Ms Thomas polled 16,260 votes ahead of Liberal’s Amanda Millar (10,750), the Greens’ Ralf Thesing (3041), Independent Rob Bakes (1000), Animal Justice Party’s Ruth Parramore (1215) and Democratic Labor Party’s Tony O’Brien (928).
Ms Thomas told Star Weekly it was a great privilege to continue her role as the Macedon MP for another four years.
She said she was looking forward to delivering on a raft of election commitments made for Macedon including three-year-old kinder, a school dental bus, building a new school in the south of Gisborne and free TAFE.
“[Also] Continuing to advocate to the Commonwealth for the $10 million needed for the Macedon Ranges regional sport precinct, but certainly delivering our commitment of $11.6 million towards the precinct,” Ms Thomas said.
“The eco-therapy park in Romsey, the upgrades to the CFA station in Riddells Creek, the upgrade of two intersections in Gisborne, the … strategic plan for Hanging Rock.”
