By PETER DOUGLAS, VICTORIA STONE-MEADOWS AND JESSE GRAHAM
THE battle for La Trobe remains on a knife-edge as incumbent Liberal MP Jason Wood battles a fierce challenge from Labor’s Simon Curtis.
Mr Wood returned to the seat in 2013 by just 5.7 per cent and that margin is likely to erode further, which is reflective of a national swing towards Labor in the 2 July election.
Although some media outlets have listed the seat’s status as a Liberal hold, at the time of the ‘Mail’ going to print, there were just over 1300 votes, or less than two per cent, between the two parties.
More than 70 per cent of votes have been counted, with an estimated 15,000 postal votes still to come.
No votes were being counted on Monday, 4 July.
Mr Curtis said he would keep a close eye on proceedings.
“No more counting today (Monday), so we’ll have to wait and we’ll know more tomorrow,” he said.
“I was always prepared for this to be a close one, and it is.
“It’s definitely going to come down to the wire.”
Mr Curtis said he was proud of the campaign he had run, regardless of the result.
“I left nothing in the tank when it came to getting out and speaking to people and I was campaigning every day,” he said.
“I definitely still feel I’m in with a chance, but you just never know.
“There really is nothing to say yet, I’ve thanked everyone for their hard work and dedication, and while I would rather be in front than behind, it’s just too close.
“I’ve been really pleased with the effort we put in to make sure we keep listening to the stories of the people in La Trobe and what people care about, whatever the result I will always commit to serving people of La Trobe.”
Mr Wood shared much the same sentiment.
“At the moment, it’s too close to call, and there are still around 15,000 postal votes left to count in La Trobe,” Mr Wood said.
“I would like to thank everyone who has supported me and my team.
“I will remain committed to listening and delivering for La Trobe and I look forward to hopefully working with our fantastic community for the next three years.”
The comments were in contrast to those posted on many social media platforms, and those featured in media outlets, which had declared a Wood victory.
As of Monday, 4 July, the ABC was still predicting Mr Wood to hold, while Sky News had declared Mr Wood the winner as early as Sunday morning.
Meanwhile, Tony Smith looks set to be re-elected to the seat of Casey, leading the polls by about 8000 votes with postal and absentee votes yet to be counted.
As of 9am on Monday, 4 July, Mr Smith had 55.27 per cent of the vote after preferences, with Labor’s candidate Hovig Melkonian receiving 44.73 per cent, with 77.7 per cent of votes counted.
Mr Smith said on Sunday that he was “humbled” by the result, and agreed with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s comments that the Coalition would win enough seats to form government.
On election day, Mr Melkonian said he felt the seat had been forgotten, as it was a safely held Liberal seat, but said the area would benefit from the election becoming more marginal.
