LIBERAL Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey is firming to win his seat for the sixth time, following the federal election on Saturday, May 21.
However, a Liberal win in the expansive outback seat had little bearing on the nationwide result, with Labor poaching at least 10 electorates off the former government.
All polling booths in Grey have returned their first preference results, with Mr Ramsey receiving 37,900 votes (44.9 per cent) and his nearest rival, Labor’s Julie Watson, 18,309.
Counting is ongoing to determine the two-candidate preferred split between Mr Ramsey and Ms Watson.
The Australian Electoral Commission originally counted two-candidate preferences between Mr Ramsey and independent challenger Liz Habermann, before it became apparent she would not receive enough first preference votes.
Mr Ramsey said he was conscious of the fact the count wasn’t over yet.
“I’m not claiming to have won the seat yet because the AEC is going through its process after counting the wrong two-candidate preferences on the night,” he said.
“The numbers which are coming through are pleasing from my point of view, but there’s still an ongoing process which needs to be respected.”
Mr Ramsey spent election night in Kadina and said the number of first preference votes he’d received was gratifying.
“We’ve seen record spending in the area over the past decade and I think people are able to appreciate that, there really has been big buckets of money spent on worthwhile projects,” he said.
“We’ve done an enormous amount for the region which I don’t plan on stopping now, I’m still very keen to do the job and keep my foot on the pedal to make sure everyone in the region, and no matter where they live or who they voted for, feels represented.”
Progress more difficult in opposition