In the balance

By Tania Martin
A SWAG of outer eastern Labor seats are on a knife’s edge as counting in the State Election continues.
In one of the closest races, Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato and Liberal challenger Simon Wildes face a nerve-wrecking wait for a declaration later this week.
Also facing an anxious wait are Ferntree Gully MP Anne Eckstein and Kilsyth MP Dympna Beard whose seats are also too close to call, while Labor lost Evelyn and Bayswater to the Liberals.
Monbulk MP James Merlino was the only Labor MP in the outer east to win comfortably after a tussle with Liberal rival and former Shire of Yarra Ranges councillor Clive Larkman.
When the Mail went to print on Monday only 250 votes separated Ms Lobato and Mr Wildes in Gembrook.
Ms Lobato had collected 50.4 per cent of the two party preferred vote to Mr Wildes’s 49.5 per cent.
Ms Lobato went into the election holding a slender 1.6 per cent margin.
Both declined to comment before the seat was declared.
In Ferntree Gully Anne Eckstein was refusing to concede defeat despite trailing Liberal Nick Wakeling in the two party preferred vote.
In Kilsyth former Shire of Yarra Ranges mayor and Liberal candidate David Hodgett also faced an anxious wait to see if he would take up a seat in Parliament.
On Monday he led incumbent Dympna Beard 50.2 per cent to 49.79 per cent on a two party preferred basis.
It could be a week before the seats are finally decided as postal and absentee votes are counted.
In Monbulk Mr Merlino secured 57 per cent of the preferred vote to Mr Larkman’s 43 per cent.
He told the Mail he had his fingers crossed for Ms Lobato, Ms Beard and Ms Eckstein. Mr Merlino said he was humbled by the vote of confidence from his electorate and cited improvements to local schools and Angliss Hospital, and the establishment of a police station in Olinda as key issues in his favour.
Asked what he thought of speculation he might be in line for a promotion, Mr Merlino said he would be happy to fulfil any role Premier Steve Bracks might offer.
“I have enjoyed my role working for the people of Monbulk and my number one priority will be the people of Monbulk no matter what other opportunities come up,” he said.
Liberal Mr Larkman said he was disappointed with at the result but was hoping his party would win the seats still up for grabs.
“The more seats we can get across the line, the more we can hold this Government to account and the better off the state will be,” he said.
In Evelyn Liberal Christine Fyffe makes a return to Parliament after forfeiting the seat to Labor’s Heather McTaggart four years ago.
Although disappointed with the results, Ms McTaggart said she knew she faced a tough task to win her seat, which was held by Labor by just .34 per cent.
Despite losing her seat, Ms McTaggart said she would continue to support and work for her community.
“I came from a community base and will continue to work for my community,” she said.
Ms Fyffe said she went into the election not knowing what to expect but had her fingers crossed.
She said she would fight for the things that mattered to the people of Evelyn but believes it will be difficult working as an opposition MP.