By CASEY NEILL
Hotham MP Clare O’Neil comfortably retained her seat despite a slight dip in first preference votes at the 2 July Federal Election.
With almost 75 per cent of 72,452 votes cast in the electorate counted, the ALP candidate had received 46.80 per cent, down 0.33 per cent compared to the 2013 election.
Her Liberal opponent George Hua achieved 37.10 per cent of first preferences – a 0.04 per cent decrease.
Once preferences were distributed and two candidates remained in the race, Ms O’Neil held 57.94 per cent of the vote and Mr Hua 42.06 per cent – a 0.67 per cent swing to the ALP.
“I feel very humbled and proud to be re-elected by the people of Hotham,” Ms O’Neil said.
“Listening to the stories of people in our community over the course of the campaign has strengthened my resolve to fight for the people of Hotham.
“In a community as broad and diverse as ours, it is so incredibly important that we have access to the resources that we need to ensure everyone in our community can get ahead.”
Ms O’Neil said it was amazing to be at the polling booths on Saturday and feel “the energy from a community so angry about the Liberals’ lack of a plan for our country”.
“It is so important for our community that we have a fully supported health system and that education opportunities are available to all children – no matter where they live,” she said.
“These are the key policies that I am committed to.”
Just over 72 per cent of people registered to vote in Hotham cast ballot papers.
Almost 2800 of those failed to do so correctly, but this represented a 0.99 per cent decrease in informal votes.
Ms O’Neil picked up most of her votes in the Dingley and Cheltenham areas of the electorate.
Most of Mr Hua’s support came from the Springvale, Oakleigh and Hughesdale areas.
Animal Justice Party candidate Helen Jeges was the first preference for 2.81 per cent of Hotham voters.
Green James Bennett picked up 8.66 per cent of the primary vote, a 0.14 per cent increase for the party from the last election.
Family First’s Tatiana Rathbone and Rise Up Australia Party’s Peter Vassiliou each received just over 2 per cent of the vote.
