NOVEMBER 28, 2018 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + THE WEST’S BEST PROPERTY GUIDE
By Benjamin Millar and Goya Dmytryshchak Labor has maintained its firm grip on power in Melbourne’s inner-west, attracting a strong swing during the government’s landslide state election victory. Debutante Katie Hall secured Labor the biggest election swing in Victoria at 14.7 per cent, coasting into the seat of Footscray with almost 80 per cent of the vote after preferences. Melissa Horne easily won the safe seat of Williamstown for Labor, while Health and Ambulance Services Minister Jill Hennesy had no trouble holding on for another term in Altona. Ms Hall, 36, takes over Footscray from the retiring Marsha Thomson, who has represented the area since 2006. By the halfway mark of counting Ms Hall had captured 61 per cent of the first-preference vote, well ahead of the Greens’ Angus McAlpine (17.3 per cent), Liberal Emete Joesika (17.2 per cent) – the party’s lowest vote in the seat since 2006 – and Shan Sun of the Animal Justice Party (seven per cent). Ms Horne became the second woman elected to the seat of Williamstown, following in the footsteps of Joan Kirner, who became Victoria’s first female premier. With 64 per cent of votes counted, the two-party preferred result had Ms Horne on 71.45 per cent (22,229) and Liberal Pallavee Joshi on 28.5 per cent (8882). Ms Horne replaces Wade Noonan, who retired from politics after 11 years. The ABC was predicting a 4.9 per cent swing to Labor in Williamstown, which
would increase the margin to 21.4 per cent. The primary vote, with 64 per cent counted, had Ms Horne on 51 per cent, followed by Liberal Pallavee Joshi (17.7 per cent), the Greens’ Sam Long (14.9 per cent), Independent Peter Hemphill (10.9 per cent), Animal Justice Party’s Virginia Saint-James (2.7 per cent) and Independent Lisa Bentley on 846 (2.7 per cent). Ms Hennessy was safely returned to the seat of Altona. With 67 per cent of votes counted, after preferences Ms Hennessy was on 65.7 per cent and Liberal Christian Martinu on 34.3 per cent. Ms Hennessy was first elected to Parliament in a 2010 by-election following the resignation of Lynne Kosky. “I’m proud that local families have acknowledged our achievements in health, education, transport and the issues that matter to them, and backed our plans to do so much more,” Ms Hennessy said. The Western Metropolitan upper house region is heading for a major shake-up with Huong Truong of the Greens likely to be eliminated and Labor expected to pick up three of the five seats. Bernie Finn will retain one seat for the Liberal Party and Maribyrnong councillor Catherine Cumming is on track to secure the fifth spot for Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party. Ms Cumming, the Stony Creek ward councillor, said that if elected she would resign her council role, paving the way for a new councillor to be appointed after a countback of votes from the 2016 council election. ■ More
election coverage: Page 8
(Pictures: Damjan Janevski)
Labor’s happy returns
Hilton does the honours Hundreds of fans and curious onlookers descended on Highpoint on Friday as US heiress and socialite Paris Hilton turned out for a ‘meet and greet’ to celebrate the launch of her newest fragrance. Running more than a little fashionably late, Hilton was a star attraction amid the shopping centre’s Black Friday sales and events.