Reason to smile: The Nationals’ Sam Birrell is the new Member for Nicholls after he beat Independent Rob Priestly and Liberal candidate Steve Brooks.
Photo by
Evan Wallace
The Nationals’ Sam Birrell is bound for Canberra as the new federal Member for Nicholls after a very tight contest.
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Independent candidate Rob Priestly conceded to Mr Birrell on May 22, with the Nationals ahead by 7000 votes with 85,000 votes counted across the electorate.
Mr Birrell said he had completely devoted himself to the campaign, and was very pleased with the result.
“It was a hard experience to go through but I’m pleased we won ... I sort of threw everything of myself into it,” he said.
“I’d just say a huge thanks to the supporters and volunteers, it’s very humbling to have people come out and work for you in this way.”
Although the battle for the seat has been won, Mr Birrell said it would be tough going into the parliament where he will be part of the opposition.
"It’s going to be challenging I think ... people going into parliament should have the values of improving people’s lives and improving Australia,“ he said.
“I need to make people understand how we can do that for the people of Nicholls.”
Mr Birrell also said he would be willing to continue working with Mr Priestly and Liberal candidate Steve Brooks in the future.
“I had a beer with Rob and Steve at the end of the day as the polls closed and I really admire those guys,” he said.
“I would appreciate their counsel.”
Challenge: Indepedent Rob Priestly was a strong contender for the Nicholls seat, but ultimately lost out to Sam Birrell.
Photo by
Rodney Braithwaite
Mr Priestly, who came very close to scooping up the seat, said he gave the election his best shot.
“It is the first time, maybe ever, but at least in living memory that this seat has attracted national attention and we have been a part of the national political conversation, that is terrific,” he said.
“I think there will be a view amongst the Coalition that this is a seat that needs to be thought about and attended to or there will be trouble ahead.”
Mr Birrell got in on a margin of 4.7 per cent, a significant swing away from the outgoing Nationals member Damian Drum, who retired with a 20 per cent margin.
Mr Brooks polled best in his Cobram hometown, where he got 30 per cent of the primary vote compared to the Nationals’ 20 per cent, while the independent got just 12 per cent.
The pre-polls in Cobram went to the Nationals 65 per cent, compared to 35 per cent for Rob Priestly after preferences.
Yarrawonga also heavily favoured the Nationals with 59 per cent on polling day and 64 per cent in the pre-polls.
Shepparton favoured Mr Priestly in the central area as well as South and North Shepparton, but the Nationals pulled ahead in Shepparton East while it was an even split for Kialla.
Nationwide, Anthony Albanese has been sworn in as Australia’s 31st Prime Minister, as a number of key seats previously held by the Liberal party went to a number of “teal independents”, the Greens and Labor.
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