General News
28 November, 2022
Ripon once again too close to call, votes lean towards Labor's Martha Haylett's
The state election was won and done by Labor on Saturday night, and while the battle for Ripon is yet to be formally decided, the seat looks set to change hands, with Labor’s Martha Haylett currently holding the lead over the Liberal’s Louise...
The state election was won and done by Labor on Saturday night, and while the battle for Ripon is yet to be formally decided, the seat looks set to change hands, with Labor’s Martha Haylett currently holding the lead over the Liberal’s Louise Staley.
Like the 2018 state election, this one has so far been too close to call, however as of print deadline on Monday, votes were leaning in Ms Haylett’s favour.
As of 2.30 pm Monday, in the two-candidate preferred count — which provides an early indication of election results but does not determine the actual outcome — Ms Haylett was in the lead (52.2 percent) ahead of Ms Staley (47.7 percent).
The most recent polling data showed Ms Haylett has obtained 38.6 percent of first preference votes (11,436 votes), while Ms Staley has 37.2 percent (or 11,000 votes). 62.4 percent of votes had been counted.
Ripon is one of the state’s most marginal seats and just last year, its electoral boundaries changed, gaining parts of western and northern Ballarat from Wendouree District, while losing towns like Stawell and Donald.
If Ms Haylett is successful, it will end Ms Staley’s eight years as Member for Ripon.
Ripon was held by Labor’s Joe Helper from 1999 to 2014 when he retired, and Ms Staley won the seat for the Liberals that same year. She then retained it in 2018 by just 15 votes.
Other candidates received a small number of votes in Ripon — Luke Smith (Shooters, Fishers & Farmers) received the third highest with 8.4 percent, followed by the Greens’ Earl James with 5.1 percent.
Craig George (Family First Victoria) had 3.1 percent, Holly Sitters (Animal Justice Party) had 2.7 percent, Wren Louise Wilson (Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party) had 2.2 percent, Independent
Wayne Rigg received 1.8 percent, and Independent Bernard Quince was at the bottom of the pack with 0.8 percent.
Across the state Labor took a resounding victory, with Victorians re-electing Premier Daniel Andrews for a third term.
While votes are still being counted, Labor have already claimed 51 seats compared to the Liberals’ 25, while the Greens have four.
Keep an eye on The Advertiser’s Facebook page and webiste www.maryboroughadvertiser.com.au as results are announced.