General News
29 November, 2022
Richard Riordan retains Polwarth
INCUMBENT Member for Polwarth Richard Riordan has retained his seat.
INCUMBENT Member for Polwarth Richard Riordan has retained his seat.
Labor candidate Hutch Hussein conceded on Monday after a close count sincepolling closed.
As of Monday afternoon Mr Riordan had received 43.17 per cent of the primary votes, Mrs Hussein had recorded 29.3 per cent and Australian Greens candidate Hilary McAllister 15.71 per cent.
At that point just over 75 per cent of the total enrolled votes had been counted.
Mr Riordan said Polwarth was a diverse electorate he “could not have won it for the Liberal Party without the help and advice from my family and an army of volunteers.”
“I would like to thank the electorate of Polwarth for your support and an increase in the margin following a challenging redistribution,” he said.
“A primary vote of nearly 44 per cent relative to Labor’s 29 per cent as well as an increase in the two party preferred vote shows support for a candidate that understands and fights for locals on important issues.”
However, Mr Riordan acknowledged there was a “lot of work to do”.
“I will continue to push for better outcomes for Polwarth and I am genuinely open to listening to everyone within our region,” Mr Riordan said.
“The big issues we have from multiple Labor governments remain: broken roads, a struggling health system, a chronic housing shortage and cost of living alongside all the issues along the Great Ocean Road.
“I will be fighting for all of the numerous promises made by the Andrews Labor Government in recent weeks.
“Given their track record of not delivering on roads, railways and health, to name but a few, this will be a real challenge but one that the people of Polwarth expect of me.”
He said were also many lessons to be learnt and he was receptive to these.
“There is an urban/regional chasm that is too big, we must to bring Victoria back together and in Polwarth I am in a unique position to cover both these demographics,” MrRiordan said.
In a media statement, Mrs Hussein said despite “Antony Green’s premature call on Saturday night, I today recognise I won’t be Polwarth’s first Labor MP”.
“I was however honoured to stand as Labor’s candidate and achieve, on the current count, around a 2.75 per cent improvement on the ALP’s vote at the 2018 election,” she said.
“Importantly, I also want to thank those who voted for me as well as all the people I had the pleasure of meeting from Torquay to Timboon and Colac to Cressy. “
Mrs Hussein said funding from this re-elected Andrews Government pledges would create jobs, particularly with the school upgrades so kids in Polwarth have the modern classrooms they deserve, while other funding will foster inclusion and community connections, physical activity and help protect the biodiversity and promotion of sustainable land management across the Otways.
Funding included $6.6 million for the Cobden Technical School and $1.8 million for the Lismore Primary School.
“Thank you Polwarth for inviting me into your homes and hearts as you shared your stories and situations,” Mrs Hussein said.
“For responding to my positive campaign and for giving me the opportunity to advocate for you.
“Thank you to those who voted for me and for the bold vision that the Labor Government set out.
“To those who didn’t, I hope to earn your vote next time.”
