Liberals up despite going down

By Lia Bichel
TWO Liberal candidates said they were happy with the election results despite not winning their electorate seats.
Liberal candidate for Narre Warren North Michelle Frazer sold her business to fund her campaign, but said even though she didn’t win she was proud of her achievements.
“To be honest, nobody expected that I would have done so well in what was considered a safe Labor seat,” she said.
“There was a major swing and I think it’s because people want change. I think people in Casey felt quite neglected by the LaborParty.”
Liberal candidate for Narre Warren South Gary Rowe agreed.
“The Labor government have taken Casey for granted,” he said.
Mr Rowe said the Liberal Party set up a strategy to run three strong campaigns in Narre Warren South, North and Cranbourne with a view to win Gembrook and Frankston and to protect the seats of Bass and Hastings.
“We were very successful in doing that,” he said.
Both Ms Frazer and Mr Rowe said they would consider running again in the future.
“We need to have a Liberal government representative in Casey,” Mr Rowe said.
Labor’s Luke Donnellan retained his seat of Narre Warren North by a whisker.
Mr Donnellan achieved 13,597 of the primary votes, while Ms Frazer polled better than expected, gaining 13,194 an 8.2 per cent swing to the Coalition.
“I am honoured to be re-elected. There is a message in that swing – work harder,” Mr Donnellan said. “I will certainly be putting my best foot forward.”
Labor MP Judith Graley has been re-elected for her second term in Narre Warren South.
Ms Graley received 18,745 of the primary votes, and Liberal candidate Gary Rowe, a former Cranbourne MP, gained 14,340.
The result saw a 3.8 swing to the Coalition
Ms Graley said she was pleased about the result in Narre Warren South, but would be pressuring the Liberal Government to deliver a number of projects in Casey.
“I hope they continue to get Narre Warren South the best schools, make sure the health services are delivered out of Casey and the road projects we have started are continued with,” she said.
“I will be holding them accountable for those things.”