Geoff Helisma |
Page MP Kevin Hogan didn’t need any other candidate’s preferences to be re-elected, attracting 50.2 per cent of the electorate’s first preferences.
These figures were accurate as of Monday morning when 82.9 per cent of votes had been counted.
Mr Hogan enjoyed a 7.1 per cent swing in his favour, extending his 2.3 per cent winning margin in 2016 to 9.4 per cent.
On a two party preferred basis, the Nationals attracted 59.5 per cent of the vote, compared to Labor’s 40.5 per cent – Labor’s first preference vote was 26.5 per cent, down 8.3 per cent on the 2016 result.
Results for the remaining candidates’ first preference votes were: Greens Dan Reid 11.2 per cent, Independent Fiona Leviny 4.8 per cent, United Australia John Mudge 3.1 per cent, Animal Justice Party Alison Waters 2.3 per cent, and Christian Democrats Peter Walker 1.8 per cent.
Mr Hogan was not available to speak to the Independent before its print deadline.
However, he issued a statement via email: “I am very humbled by the strong support shown to me in Saturday’s election.
“I thank you for putting your faith and trust in me to be our community’s representative in Canberra again.
“We are a wonderful community in a beautiful part of this great country. I will continue to do everything I can to further job growth and keep this region as special as it is.
“I acknowledge the other candidates who were all good people.
“Again, my heartfelt thank you.”
Meanwhile, on his Facbook site, speaking to his constituents, Mr Hogan said: “Okay, it’s done; thank you, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.
“For the third time you have re-elected me to be your representative in Canberra.
“It’s a role I take with great gratitude and thanks from you.
“Representing this community in Canberra is the most important thing I have ever done in my life.
“I will continue to do it to the very best of my ability.
“We will continue to bring job-creating activities and investment to this region because I know you want extra job availability for your kids and yourself and cost of living pressures.
“So thank you again and I will continue to work as hard as I can for this beautiful and wonderful community that we live in.”