By Jade Lawton
LIBERAL sitting MP Ken Smith looks likely to retain the seat of Bass in this Saturday’s State Election.
The Victorian Electoral Commission states that Labor would need a swing of 5.53 per cent to wrest control of the seat from Mr Smith.
ALP candidate Gerry Lonergan said he was pleased with his campaign and the work his supporters had done to present him the electorate, but had realistic expectations of Saturday’s result.
“Realistically, I have to say I probably have a slim chance of being elected,” he said.
“But, I really hope I have an impact of some sort.
“It’s going to be interesting to watch the voting state-wide on Saturday night and see what the actual result will be – the polls are indicating it is going to be very close.”
Mr Smith said he was also happy with his campaign.
“It’s been a good strong campaign, a positive campaign, and we’ve made a number of major announcements for the Cardinia and Casey area,” he said.
Mr Smith said he couldn’t say he was confident of Saturday’s result, but did add that he was looking forward to the opportunity of serving the electorate for another term.
He also said a vote for the Greens was a vote for Labor.
“They are the left wing of the Labor Party and for them to sort of pretend that they are standing as a separate party is not the way to go,” he said.
Also in the running is Greens candidate Neil Rankine.
In the 2006 election, the Greens candidate received 8.86 per cent of the primary vote.
A late entry to the race is Bruce Rogers, who is standing for the Country Alliance.
Mr Rogers is an electrician from Knoxfield.
