By Callum Ludwig
The Evelyn district has seen a large swing towards the Liberal party, despite an overall Labor victory in Victoria.
Bridget Vallence is set to continue in her second term as Evelyn MP, following a 4.3 per cent swing her way at the time of print.
Ms Vallence said it was a strong result and she is really pleased to have the privilege and honour of being reelected as the local MP for Evelyn.
“I was really thrilled to receive the support and I think it demonstrates that we have a strong vision for our local community. Votes are still being counted, but I think the vote indicates I will be the MP again for the local area,” she said.
“It was a good campaign and I want to pay tribute to all the other candidates locally, we all treated each other with respect which was pleasant to see. I thank all of my volunteers, I wouldn’t be able to run a campaign without all my volunteers who did a fantastic job and saw the positive vision that we had for our local community and of course, the good people of Evelyn for putting their trust and faith in me to continue being their local voice in the state parliament.”
With a Labor overall victory, despite the Liberal district victory, election promises made by Ms Vallence can not be guaranteed, such as:
$5 million for safety upgrades to Warburton Highway in Seville East (widening and turning lanes)
$5 million to kickstart the scoping works to duplicate the Lilydale rail line between Mooroolbark and Lilydale and provision for a station at Kinley
$8 million for a new State Emergency Service (SES) Unit for the Dandenong Ranges to support Lilydale and Emerald SES capacity across our region (based on direct feedback from Lilydale and Emerald SES)
$15.6 million for building and facility upgrades at local schools in Mt Evelyn, Mooroolbark, Wandin North and Chirnside Park
$6.6 million Wandin North Primary School new classrooms and toilets
$6.4 million Birmingham Primary School Mt Evelyn new multipurpose stadium
$1.8 million St Mary’s Primary School Mt Evelyn new classrooms and toilets
$400,000 Rolling Hills Primary School Mooroolbark overhead sports court covers
$400,000 Chirnside Park Primary School overhead sports court covers
$1 million toward redeveloping Coldstream Football and Cricket pavilion
$100,000 for behind-the-goals football nets at Montrose Football Club (a safety initiative to prevent children from running onto the main entrance driveway for the ball)
Ms Vallence said the key issues for us remain unchanged.
“I will still be fighting for our fair share out in Evelyn, the Outer East and the Yarra Valley. Certainly, a number of key road projects really do need to be addressed, such as the Maroondah Highway in Coldstream and Warburton Highway in Seville East and we need to be supporting small local businesses, particularly hospitality, tourism, small manufacturers throughout the area, really ensuring that they can do well and find the staff that they need to to survive and grow,” she said.
“Of course, there are many of our local schools that need have a desperate need for upgrades, and haven’t had investment for a long time so I’ll call upon the government to match those pledges. We need strong public transport out here, we promised a review of the bus network and duplication of the Lilydale line and I’ll be watching keenly to see if the government deliver on their 2018 Maroondah Hospital promise and will be holding them to account to do that because we all need good healthcare.”
Labor candidate and runner-up Lorna Dent was contacted for comment but was unable to provide a response.
She did however, take to social media to thank her volunteers and supporters for the effort put into her campaign.
“I am so appreciative of the hard work, camaraderie and sense of fun that you all brought to the campaign. What a ride!” she said.
“Whilst the result in Evelyn didn’t go our way, I’m thrilled we have played a part in the Victorian election campaign that resulted in a re-elected Labor government.
“This result is great for jobs, health, education and our environment. A government that believes in social justice, fairness and equality.”
At the time of print, these were the first preference results:
Liberal Bridget Vallence: 47.9 per cent, 17,089 votes
Labor Lorna Dent: 32.7 per cent, 11,658 votes
Greens Andrew Henley: 9 per cent, 3201 votes
Family First Victoria Jeanette Dobson: 5.1 per cent, 1805 votes
Animal Justice Jan Heald: 3.7 per cent, 1341 votes
Independent Nat De Francesco: 0.9 per cent, 333 votes
Independent Rosalie De Francesco: 0.7 per cent, 260 votes
