“I’m not in a position to be able to call it. Even though it looks pretty good at the moment, there’s still a few votes yet to count.”
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
They were the words Gilmore MP, the Liberal Party’s Ann Sudmalis, told her supporters on Saturday night.
It was 9.15pm. The battle for Gilmore was on a knife-edge – Mrs Sudmalis was ahead, just, but Labor Party challenger Fiona Phillips was hot on her heels.
For now, everyone’s happy in Gilmore. Mrs Sudmalis is upbeat. Mrs Phillips is also, understandably, content with where she stands.
Elsewhere, the Greens secured at least 10 per cent of the first preference count, and the Christian Democrats garnered five per cent.
With voting at a standstill, and set to resume on Tuesday, all eyes remain on Gilmore. As for the outcome, it is too close to call.
Will a Labor victory mean a case of unhappy, Ann? Or, will the status quo leave Fiona thinking what could have been? Either way, there will be a winner.
“It’s too close to call but, regardless of who wins this election in Gilmore, I think the real winners are the people in our community and that’s one of the reasons why I am standing as Labor’s candidate,” Mrs Phillips said on Saturday night.
“I think there’s a lot more that can be done in this community and I think any close result is good news for people in Gilmore.
“We were a marginal seat but obviously the closer that margin comes down it means in future elections that more resources will flow into Gilmore.”
Mrs Sudmalis used a speech on Saturday night to thank her “crew of blue” supporters. The incumbent came close to calling herself the winner, but said she would watch closely as the count continues.
“There’s always a bit of a worry when the first results come in because they're always quite small [booths] and not always indicative,” Mrs Sudmalis told Fairfax Media on Saturday night.
“I knew it was going to be a close race. I’m very reassured with the pre-poll results ... we tend to always do better in pre-poll.
“I’m expecting us to finally take the final vote for Gilmore for the Coalition.”
RESULTS
Two candidate preferred
65/72 booths, 80.22% turnout
- Ann Sudmalis (Liberal) 44,758 (50.2%) Swing -3.55
- Fiona Phillips (Labor) 44,353 (49.8%) +3.55