Former Mornington Peninsula mayor Judith
By Rebecca Fraser
NARRE Warren South MP Dale Wilson has been unseated following a dramatic pre-selection meeting last week when he was incorrectly announced the winner.
At last Thursday’s Central Branch meeting the Labor MP ordered a recount after it was announced that he had beaten his challenger, former Mornington Peninsula mayor Judith Couacaud Graley.
Ms Couacaud Graley is currently working as an electoral officer for Lyndhurst MP and Victorian Police, Emergency Services and Corrections Minister Tim Holding and was expected to draw strong support from the party’s right wing faction.
Following the surprise announcement, Mr Wilson immediately called for a recount and it was later announced that there had been an error in the count and Ms Couacaud Graley had won pre-selection.
Mr Wilson’s loss came despite the fact that on Sunday 5 March at the local pre-selection vote count, he gained 77 votes or 53.5 percent of votes and Ms Couacaud Graley only attracted 67 votes or 46.5 per cent.
“I did not believe it and I thought ‘hang on, something is strange here’,” Mr Wilson said.
“I mean Christian miracles do happen but I did query it and ask for a recount,” he said.
Mr Holding has since come under fire following Mr Wilson’s loss, amid claims he used his taxpayer funded ministerial car to door knock twice in support of Ms Couacaud Graley and oust his fellow Labor colleague.
Mr Wilson had little to say about Mr Holding’s actions but was disappointed at being unseated.
He said he agreed with comments made by former federal opposition leader Simon Crean last week following his close pre-selection win in the federal seat of Hotham.
“Simon Crean said that Mr Holding needed to remember that he was a member of the Labor party first and a member of a faction second and I strongly believe this too,” he said.
“I have acknowledged and it is a very well known fact that I am a part of the left and I am proud of that. But I am a member of the Labor party first and I do believe that Mr Holding should identify with his party before his faction,” he said.
Mr Wilson said he was disappointed that he would not be continuing to officially service the Narre Warren South electorate after November and said it was still too early to decide his next career move.
He declined to comment on Ms Couacaud Graley’s credentials.
However, he did say it was interesting that she did not live in the Narre Warren South electorate, as he did.
Ms Couacaud Graley said the vote had been a roller coaster ride but she was excited by her win.
“I am thrilled, excited and gratified to have been selected,” she said.
Ms Couacaud Graley said she did not want to discuss Mr Wilson’s performance.
She said she would be running her campaign on her own personal credentials.
