Helen Dalton says she ‘‘won’t take no for an answer’’ when it comes to having a Deniliquin electorate office.
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In her third attempt at winning the seat, Mrs Dalton was named NSW Member for Murray when incumbent Nationals member Austin Evans conceded defeat to her just after 10pm Saturday — despite counting continuing in a number of Murray polls yesterday.
It is the local first loss by The Nationals time in more than three decades.
And Murray is not the only seat Mrs Dalton’s Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party snatched from the returned Coalition Government, which she said highlights its treatment of rural NSW needs improvement.
‘‘People are seeing through the rot, and they are tired of being neglected; finally we have a bit of power,’’ Mrs Dalton said of the results.
‘‘We are seeing the benefits (of a desire for change) already. If we were not marginal we would not have had the promises Austin made, and I do intend to ensure those promises are honoured.
‘‘I was disappointed there was not much for Deniliquin (from Austin) and I do believe the Deniliquin Hospital needs a more significant amount of funding. We also need incentives for health professionals and teachers to come to our areas.
‘‘A lot of the Coalition’s ideas are good for the city, but not for us out here. The Nationals have had to toe the Liberal Party line, but I don’t have to.
‘‘The southern area of the state is incredibly important so I am not going to take no for an answer about a Deniliquin electoral office.
‘‘Murray is not Griffith-centric — I intend to represent the whole electorate.’’
While Mrs Dalton said she will fight for a Deniliquin office, she did say it would depend on ‘‘what I am entitled to’’. She said that won’t be clear until after the government’s caretaker period is lifted and she is officially sworn in as a member of parliament.
She said after being sworn in and learning sitting dates she will then plan her first trip back to this area as its official local member.
Three state seats were still in doubt at the time of going to print yesterday, but it was predicted the NSW Coalition would be returned with a majority government.
Mrs Dalton said it would make her job a little more challenging, but it would not alter the way she intends to fight for the Murray electorate.
‘‘My platform in the campaign was on water, health and education, and I will work diligently on all of them,’’ she said.
‘‘I guess there is a bit of a concern that before the election (returned Premier) Gladys Berejiklian would not work with the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers but she will have to soften on that — she has to.
‘‘We have been under attack for the last 40 to 50 years, and I will be making changes.
‘‘Bit by bit I want to restore rural communities — the communities who have spoken (with their votes).
‘‘I have advocated strongly for water, hospital and education, but I do want to learn more about Deniliquin and what it needs.’’
At the time of going to print yesterday — with some Murray polls yet to be counted and counting yet to begin on most pre-poll centres, including Deniliquin — Mrs Dalton was sitting on 14,345 first preference votes (39.5 per cent).
She was almost 1400 votes clear of Mr Evans, who had 12,962 (35.69 per cent).
Of the 46 polling places running in Murray on Saturday, Mr Evans only won 17. Of those 17, Tocumwal Public School was the only one in the Deniliquin and Southern Riverina to favour him.
Polling third highest was Country Labor’s Alan Purtill (8.73%), followed by Mathoura’s One Nation candidate Tom Weyrich (7.38%), Deniliquin’s Green candidate Nivanka De Silva (2.54%) and then Wakool Independent David Landini (1.98%). The remaining four candidates polled 1.5 per cent or lower.
In a prepared statement, Mr Evans said the Coalition government would continue to deliver for the electorate regardless of its representation.
‘‘Of course, I am disappointed in the result, but the people of Murray have voted for a change in representation and I respect that decision,’’ he said.
‘‘It has been just 17 months since I was elected, and it has been such a privilege to represent and deliver for the communities I love.
‘‘In modern day politics, we often focus on the dollars delivered, but for me I am most proud that we reopened Pooncarie School after a seven year recess. It might not be a multimillion-dollar project but the effect it will have on that community is something you can’t put a dollar figure on.
‘‘Having said that, I have enjoyed working closely with our local councils to deliver funding for critical projects across the electorate.
‘‘The Murray electorate will also continue to benefit from a strong and stable Liberal National Government that prioritises small businesses, families and farmers.’’