Birrell, Ley back in

By Emily Donohoe

May 4, 2025

Mia Dixon, Beck Turner, Kirsty Read, Tahlia Railton and Megan Merchant were on democracy sausage duties at Echuca East Primary School. Photo: Jordan Townrow. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

The winds of change did not blow across Nicholls and Farrer on election day, with incumbent members Sam Birrell and Sussan Ley retaining their seats.

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Federally, the ABC is projecting Labor to obtain 85 seats, the Coalition 37, Independents eight, and Centre Alliance and Katter’s Australian Party one each.

The remaining 18 are still in doubt, particularly in metro Melbourne and Brisbane.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and fiancée Jodie Haydon celebrate on election night after a landslide Labor victory. Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

Bendigo is likely to be retained by incumbent Labor member Lisa Chesters, but is still in doubt as of Sunday afternoon with challenger Andrew Lethlean of The Nationals receiving just three per cent less than Ms Chesters in the first preference count.

For a party to form a majority government, 76 of 150 seats are needed, with the ABC chief election analyst Antony Green calling the election to fall in Labor’s favour early in the piece on Saturday night.

In what is being described as a landslide election for Labor, the LNP has managed to secure terms locally once again.

Nicholls

The Nationals’ Sam Birrell has convincingly held on to his seat, obtaining 48.02 per cent of the first preference count.

On a two-party preferred basis, Mr Birell achieved 65.59 per cent of the vote, the remaining 34.41 per cent allocated to Labor’s Kim Travers.

Voters turned out at polling places in Echuca, Bamawm, Lockington, Gunbower, Torrumbarry and Nanneella.

Electioneers at 208 Echuca Primary School. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

In Shepparton on election night, he addressed his supporters at a celebratory event.

“Three years ago it was an election on knife edge,” Mr Birrell said.

“Here we are in 2025 and we already know we have smashed it in Nicholls.”

“I’ll never take it for granted ... I got in this to do a job and represent people from my community.”

Mr Birrell has represented Nicholls since the 2022 federal election.

First preference counts from 78 of 79 polling places had been returned and counted as of Sunday afternoon.

In order of the ballot, the first preference count for each candidate is as follows:

Echuca College was among the polling places for the Division of Nicholls. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

First preference count for the Division of Nicholls
Kim Travers, Australian Labor Party	23.59 per cent
Paul Bachelor, Family First	4.44 per cent
Glenn Floyd, Trumpet of Patriots	4.58 per cent
Aaron Tyrrell, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation	11.22 per cent
Sam Birrell, The Nationals	48.02 per cent
Jeff Davy, Australian Citizens Party	0.98 per cent
Shelby Eade, The Greens	7.17 per cent

Farrer

Long-standing incumbent member for Farrer, the Liberal Party’s Sussan Ley has comfortably won back her seat.

Despite a swing against her of 8.70 per cent, Ms Ley secured 43.60 per cent of the first preference count.

Independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe achieved 20.48 per cent of the first preference count, while Labor’s Glen Hyde received 15.02 per cent.

Locally, Moama, Mathoura and Wakool polling places were open for voters.

Ms Ley has represented Farrer since the 2001 federal election.

As of Sunday afternoon, the first preference counts from all of the 94 polling places had been returned and counted.

In order of the ballot, the first preference count for each candidate is as follows:

First preference count for the Division of Farrer
Sussan Ley, Liberal	43.60 per cent
Glen Hyde, Australian Labor Party	15.02 per cent
Michelle Milthorpe, Independent	20.48 per cent
Richard Hendrie, The Greens	4.64 per cent
Emma Hicks, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation	6.52 per cent
Peter Sinclair, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party	3.35 per cent
David O’Reilly, Gerard Rennick People First	1.99 per cent
Rebecca Scriven, Family First	2.11 per cent
Tanya Hargraves, Trumpet of Patriots	2.30 per cent