For the first time in recent memory, a week after a state election the voters of South West Coast don’t know for sure who will represent them for the next four years in the lower house of state parliament.
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The delay in determining the winner of the November 24 poll is a good problem to have.
It means the seat is no longer safe and the major parties will need to focus on the electorate between now and the 2022 election because – as we saw last week – the seat is now marginal and swings of four to five per cent are achievable.
The seat is now up for grabs to the highest political bidder.
While incumbent Liberal candidate Roma Britnell is likely to retain what is now a marginal seat, voters sent a clear message to both Liberal and Labor that they want a better deal.
Earlier this year we asked readers to list their priorities in an online poll. Not surprisingly, our crumbling roads, the need for a major redevelopment of Warrnambool Base Hospital to cope with growing demand, better education and job outcomes, better sporting facilities and a residential rehabilitation facility topped the list.
The Standard put those issues firmly on the radar of all candidates.
It is shocking that none of the candidates were prepared to commit to funding $300 million the Great South Coast Group of Councils said – and that we all know – was needed to upgrade the dangerous Princes Highway west of Colac. But The Standard will continue to advocate for the upgrade. We won’t stop now that the election is over.
Whoever is declared the winner next week, they will head to Spring Street knowing the south-west expects results on these critical issues.
Voters will mark her – or his – term on whether the highway and the hospital are upgraded.
Our eventual chosen representative will need to work with the upper house members to present a unified voice. She – or he – will need to deliver, to be diplomatic yet dogged, persuasive and shrewd.
Voters expect – and deserve – nothing less.