Nail-biting vote

By Ed Merrison
THE political future of the outer east hangs in the balance despite the Bracks Government’s resounding victory in Saturday’s State Election.
Ferntree Gully, Gembrook and Kilsyth are among four Labor seats in the state deemed too close to call, while Labor lost both Evelyn and Bayswater to the Opposition.
Only Monbulk’s Labor MP James Merlino was returned with a comfortable margin as he fought off the challenge of Liberal rival Clive Larkman.
Swings of less than 2.3 per cent were required to rid Ferntree Gully MP Anne Eckstein, Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato and Kilsyth MP Dympna Beard of their seats.
Now the MPs and their Liberal challengers, Nick Wakeling, Simon Wildes and former Shire of Yarra Ranges mayor David Hodgett, face an anxious wait as late postal and absentee votes come in.
It could be a week before the seats are finally decided.
Mr Wakeling, who was less than a percentage point ahead of Ms Eckstein on preferred votes, said it had turned into a nail-biter for candidates in undecided seats.
He said Liberal gains in Bayswater and Evelyn and the deadlock in other outer eastern seats “sent a clear message to the Bracks Government to abide by its election promises and deliver the infrastructure and services” people needed.
“People knew we had a government that was swimming in money but they weren’t seeing it spent in this region,” he said.
Mr Wakeling, who supports the Rowville rail project, said public transport and EastLink had been major issues.
Ms Eckstein said she had no regrets about her campaign.
“You can’t do better than your best and that’s what I’ve done,” she said.
“I certainly won’t be conceding at this point,” she said on Monday morning.
In Gembrook, the major parties took roughly 40 per cent of the primary vote each and Ms Lobato was less than a percentage point ahead of Mr Wildes on preferences.
Ms Lobato, who won her seat in November 2002 with a 8.3 per cent swing, declined to comment on her current position, while Mr Wildes felt Ms Lobato held a slight advantage as the sitting MP.
Meanwhile, Mr Hodgett will have to wait to see if he has achieved the required 2.1 per cent swing away from Labor to replace Ms Beard in Kilsyth.
Mr Hodgett was marginally ahead on both the primary and preferred vote when the Mail went to press.
Mr Merlino, who took 57 per cent of the preferred vote to Mr Larkman’s 43 per cent, said he had his fingers crossed for Ms Eckstein, Ms Lobato and Ms Beard.
He said he was humbled by the vote of confidence from his electorate and cited improvements to Angliss Hospital and local schools 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 Mr 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.