30 MAY 2019
YOUR INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
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PH: 4325 7369
ISSUE 208
Sitting Federal members returned A
region-wide swing of more than 3% to the Liberal Party at the May 18 Federal Election has seen, Lucy Wicks, returned for a third term as Member for Robertson, and Labor’s, Emma McBride, holding onto her seat of Dobell by the slimmest of margins. Wicks said it was a “tremendous honour” to be returned, and an endorsement of the Federal Government’s plan for the Central Coast and what it has delivered over the past six years. Wicks first took the seat in 2013, being re-elected in 2016 by a slim margin of 1.1 per cent. She increased that margin to more than 4 per cent at the 2019 election. “It did feel very positive over those three weeks on prepoll, and while the polls were pointing to a, Bill Shorten, and Labor win, that’s not what I was hearing at Woy Woy, Gosford or Kincumber,” she said. “The feedback I was getting was that there was real concern about what a, Bill Shorten, Labor-led government would look like. “It was a tough campaign, one of the hardest I have fought, with Labor and the unions throwing everything at us, but it really was a seat we had to win vote by vote, person by person. “Our focus remained strong. “People said they were pleased to see projects finally being delivered. “When we say we are going to do something we do it. “I always knew it was going to be a close race, but having known, Scott Morrison, for 20 years, I know his leadership capabilities, his determination
Emma McBride with Rachel Willis and Paul Lewis of Coast Shelter
and his incredible heart. “When he says people matter, he really means that.” Labor candidate, Anne Charlton, congratulated Wicks on retaining the seat and said she would continue to hold the Liberals to account for promises made during the election campaign. At the time of going to press, latest first preference figures for Robertson, with 89.11% of the vote counted, were: Lucy Wicks (Lib) 47.14% (43,355); Anne Charlton (Lab) 34.21% (31,461); Cath Connor (Greens) 7.68% (7,066); David Abrahams (Ind) 3.03% (2,785); Robert Marks (United Australia) 2.76% (2,539); Sean Bremner-Young (Animal Justice) 2.04% (1,872); Judy Singer (Sustainable Australia) 1.74% (1,601); and, Fiona Stucken (Christian Democrats ) 1.40% (1,284). In two party preferred: Lucy Wicks (Lib) 51.14% (50,130); Anne Charlton (Lab) 48.86% (41,833). Robertson remains a bellwether seat, having gone to the winning party at every
election since the early 1970s. At Dobell, Emma McBride, who took the seat in 2016 from Liberal, Karen McNamara, was re-elected despite a 3.17 per cent swing away from Labor, following a spirited campaign battle against Liberal candidate, Jilly Pilon. While she was “grateful to be re-elected”, McBride said there would be an analysis of what caused the swing against Labor, but in the meantime, it would be back to business. “I’m going out into the community to listen and hear, and work towards what matters most to them,” McBride said. “The two main issues people come to me for are aged care and the NIDIS, and I’ll be working to make sure that the people get what they need.” McBride said her next term would also have a strong focus on unemployment, education and schools. “Thank you to everyone who put their confidence in me to serve our community, and to all the volunteers and
Lucy Wicks on election night with daughter Mollie-Joy
supporters,” she said. At the time of going to press, latest first preference figures for Dobell, with 89.82% of the vote counted, were: Emma McBride (Lab) 41.60% (41,229); Jilly Pilon (Lib) 40.79% (40,419); Scott Rickard (Greens) 7.38% (7,317); Aaron Harpley-Carr (United Australia) 5.29% (5,241); Gregory Stephenson (Ind) 3.10% (3,070); and, Paula Grundy (Christian Democrats) 1.84% (1,825). In two party preferred: Emma McBride (Lab) 51.54% (51,076); Jilly Pilon (Lib) 48.46% (48,025). Meanwhile, NSW Business Chamber Central Coast believes the Coalition win will restore sagging business confidence, not only in our region, but across the nation. “There can be no higher accolade than the Prime Minister retaining Government,” Regional Director, Paula Martin, said. “It was a long and hard fought campaign, and one where the electorate has made their decision about the
policy direction they want the country to take over the next few years. “Business needs certainty, and particularly in NSW, where we have had two elections in the space of two months. “There is no doubt that important business decisions like expansion, taking on additional staff or bringing on extra product lines have been held off until these election results were known. “The return of the Coalition Government will be well received by the business community, and they will now move forward with investing in their business capabilities, without the added concerns about issues such as Workplace Relations.” Central Coast Mayor, Jane Smith, has called on all levels of government to work together to deliver the funding and infrastructure commitments promised in both the State and Federal elections. “Millions have been pledged to upgrade local roads, shared pathways and sporting facilities, and to improve water
quality in Tuggerah Lakes and Terrigal,” Smith said. “My congratulations to all the sitting members who were re-elected in both State and Federal elections and thanks to all those candidates who put up their hands to be considered for election. “We’ve heard significant funding promised to the Central Coast, now it’s time to buckle down and deliver for the community. “I look forward to bringing our State and Federal members together in June, in a leadership forum, to focus on key projects that we can work through collaboratively. “We will start with our roads; I know roads are always a high priority for our community. “Our community demand a high level of service and safety from their road network. “With thousands of kilometres of roads on the Coast there is a lot to be done.” The Coalition promised a $70m Central Coast roads and pathway package in the leadup to the Federal election, as well as almost $4.3m in pathways and road upgrades in North Avoca. At the State election, more than $400m was pledged for works on the Central Coast Hiwy and the Pacific Hwy through Wyong. Source: Media release, May 20 Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks Media release, May 20 Paula Martin, Regional Director, Central Coast NSW Business Chamber Interview, May 21 Member for Dobell, Emma McBride Media release, May 22 Central Coast Mayor, Jane Smith Media release, May 22 Labor Candidate for Robertson, Anne Charlton Australian Electoral Commission Tally Room, May 29 Reporters: Sue Murray and Terry Collins
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