By Casey Neill
SITTING Liberal La Trobe member Jason Wood has conceded he would need a ‘minor miracle’ to reclaim the seat he has held for the past six years.
“But no-one’s dead and no-one’s injured,” he said.
The Australian Labor Party’s Laura Smyth looks certain to win La Trobe with a 2000-plus vote lead.
She told the Gazette her muscles were aching.
“I think the last eight months of campaigning have taken their toll,” she said.
It was Australian Greens preferences that got Ms Smyth over the line in La Trobe.
Mr Wood was ahead on primary votes but Ms Smyth came out in front with 51.59 per cent of the vote after preferences.
Mr Wood last year won the seat with just 50.51 per cent.
Greens candidate Jim Reiher secured 12.38 per cent of the primary vote – a 3.54 per cent swing.
“The residents of La Trobe are demonstrating that they are willing to support the Greens more and more,” he said.
Mr Reiher congratulated Ms Smyth on her win and wished Mr Wood all the best.
“We have no personal beef against Jason,” he said.
“But the Greens of course would prefer to see a Gillard Government rather than an Abbott Government.”
“We didn’t want to be the seat that put Abbott in power.”
Ms Smyth will soon meet with community groups and constituents.
“Over coming weeks I’ll map what I think is achievable,” she said.
“Green issues are significant in the area and I’ll be very mindful of that.”
Mr Wood yesterday said he had not yet conceded defeat.
“But for us to come and win from here would be a minor miracle,” he said.
“It was a great honour to be the member for La Trobe.”
Mr Wood assured La Trobe residents a Coalition Government would honour his funding commitments, which included a new tourism centre, weed controls and fire warning system.
“The reason I got into politics was making my home area a better place to live,” he said.
“If those things are delivered and I’m not there as the local member that’s OK. There’s a bigger picture.”
Mr Wood said he planned to “try his hand” at another field, look at a few projects and find new jobs for his staff. He has no plans to contest the seat again.
“But I know you should never say never,” he said.
Australian Sex Party La Trobe candidate Martin Leahy received 2.7 per cent of the primary vote.
“As The Australian Sex Party is only 12 months old this is a fantastic result not just for myself but the party as a whole,” he said.
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