Riverina MP Michael McCormack has thanked voters for returning him for a fifth time to represent them in federal parliament.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr McCormack said he would serve and fight for the Riverina in either government or opposition and pledged to serve a full term as "voters don't like byelections".
During his victory speech to family and supporters at Wagga's Murrumbidgee Turf Club, Mr McCormack thanked the National Party volunteers who attended every one of Riverina's 83 polling locations and said his opponents had generally run a respectful campaign.
"It's with great pleasure that I announce that the National Party has been re-elected to the division of Riverina with most of the polling booth results in to the Australian Electoral Commission," Mr McCormack said.
"It's very pleasing to say that the Nationals will continue the fine representation of the Riverina division that we have provided for many, many years."
As of Saturday night, Mr McCormack was on track to retain the seat with 46.76 per cent of the primary vote, representing a 13.24 per cent swing against him compared with the 2019 federal election.
Labor's Mark Jeffreson was on 20.15 per cent, representing a 2.93 per cent swing against him compared to the 2019 federal election.
The Australian Electoral Commission counted 70,722 ballots on Saturday out of a maximum of 116,172 people enrolled to vote in the electorate, with postal vote counting due to start on Sunday.
The Riverina two-party preferred stood at 64.84 per cent for Mr McCormack and 35.16 per cent for Mr Jeffreson.
Mr McCormack said the he was pleased to see the results of the National Party's efforts in government represented in the Riverina result, particularly over the past three "very difficult" years.
"We started with a drought, we had bushfires, we had floods, we had a mouse plague and of course not to mention the coronavirus," he said.
"This has been an unprecedented, trying time for Riverina people and for people across Australia and the government has been there to protect lives and to protect livelihoods, particularly through COVID."
Mr McCormack said in his speech at about 9.30pm on Saturday that it was too early to call which party would for the next government but he hoped he would not serve his next term in opposition.
Just over an hour later, outgoing Prime Minister Scott Morrison gave his concession speech and said he had congratulated Labor's Anthony Albanese on his victory.
Mr Morrison also used part of his speech to thank Mr McCormack for his work as Nationals leader and Coalition Deputy Prime Minister, as well as Barnaby Joyce.
At 15 minutes to midnight, Mr Albanese began his victory speech.
"I say to my fellow Australians, thank you for this extraordinary honour. Tonight the Australian people have voted for change. I am humbled by this victory and I'm honoured to be given the opportunity to serve as the 31st Prime Minister of Australia," Mr Albanese said.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Download our app from the Apple Store or Google Play
- Bookmark dailyadvertiser.com.au
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters