By JESSE GRAHAM
CINDY McLeish has been officially declared the winner of the seat of Eildon.
Ms McLeish was named as the winner of the seat for the Liberal party shortly after 4pm today (Tuesday 9 December) by Eildon District Election Manager Peter Williams, on behalf of the Victorian Electoral Commission.
She received 51.7 per cent of the total votes after preference distribution, a total of 19,132 votes.
Labor’s Sally Brennan received 32.58 per cent of the vote, which became 48.3 per cent of the total votes after receiving 15.72 per cent in preferences from The Green’s Marie Sellstrom.
In her acceptance speech, Ms McLeish said it was a “privilege and a pleasure” to be elected as the first member for Eildon as well as being the last sitting member for the abolished seat of Seymour.
“For me, it’s bittersweet,” she said.
“To win this is terrific, but to lose government, I find it quite sad.”
Ms McLeish said she would continue her work in the community, and would advocate on behalf of her constituents while in opposition for the next four years.
In first-preference votes, Ms McLeish received 16,070 votes, while Ms Brennan received 10,375.
Ms Sellstrom received 4323, The Nationals’ Jim Child received 2253, Independent Bruce Argyle received 1172, Family First’s David Prentice received 883 and Independent Jane Judd received 723.
For the full story, including a breakdown of votes across the electorate, see next week’s Mail.
