By ANEEKA SIMONIS
BASS and Gembrook remain safe Liberal seats despite Labor’s strong win in the State Election over the weekend.
Brian Paynter was elected for Bass for the first time but a 7.5 per cent swing against the Liberal party could leave the seat in marginal territory in the future.
Re-elected Gembrook MP Brad Battin was thrilled with Saturday’s result, increasing his margin to 8.8 per cent and potentially securing the seat as Liberal territory for years to come.
It was a bitter-sweet feeling for Mr Battin who will sit in the Opposition benches for the first time following the record defeat of the first one-term State Government in almost 60 years.
“The local result was fantastic. To have that much community support is much appreciated,” he said.
“Overall, I have to say I am disappointed at the overall result, but that’s politics. You just have to get over it.”
First time candidate Sanjay Nathan for Bass was thrilled with the strong swing toward the Labor party at more than three times the state-wide average.
“I am happy that the swing that we achieved was considerably larger than the state-wide average,” Mr Nathan said.
“The fact that 45 per cent of Bass had put their faith in me to represent the community says it all and for that I am more than humbled with such a result.”
But Mr Paynter, who took the seat from retiring Liberal of 12 years Ken Smith, was satisfied with the win and said he would get straight to work on improving Bass.
“I couldn’t be prouder with the position I am in,” he said.
“I was a touch emotional when we walked into the room full of supporters and family.
“It’s important I get out and reacquaint myself with people in the electorate.” Despite the Liberals increasing their margin by almost two per cent in Gembrook, Labor candidate Collin Ross said he was satisfied with his performance.
“It’s like being part of a football team. I played my role in getting the team the premiership,” he said.
“I’m disappointed to lose individually, but I am extremely happy as a team we have won.”
