MPs split on vote result
Marles buoyant while Henderson vows to fight for constituents
IN the wake of Labor’s success at the weekend’s by elections, Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson said she was “undeterred, but taking nothing for granted in the country’s most marginal Coalition seat”.
Labor retained four out of four lower house seats up for grabs on “Super Saturday” while Centre Alliance’s Rebekha Sharkie convincingly defeated Liberal candidate Georgina Downer to return to Parliament House in the seat of Mayo.
With swings against Liberal candidates in Braddon, Longman and Mayo, Corio MP Richard Marles said the results were a sign of things to come.
The Coalition did not contest by-elections in Fremantle and Perth.
“This result was a clear rejection of the Turnbull Government’s tax cuts for big banks, their cuts to schools and hospitals,” Mr Marles said yesterday.
“This election showed Labor has the better policies, and candidates who stand up and fight for their communities.”
“That’s exactly what we’ll see at the federal election.”
Ms Henderson, who won Corangamite at the 2016 federal election with a margin of 3.13 per cent, said the results “were no surprise.”
“The Government has always said it would be very difficult to win any of the seats being contested. History was against us,” she said.
“It has been 98 years since the Government has won a seat from the opposition in a by-election and that tradition has continued.
“Bill Shorten is carrying on like he won the World Cup because Labor managed to retain its own seats.
“It is important to keep things in context. The swing in Longman was similar to what usually happens while, in Braddon, there was virtually no swing.”
Ms Henderson said she was staying focused on representing her constituents.
“I will continue to work extremely hard on delivering for the people of Corangamite, including local jobs and critical infrastructure, such as better roads and rail upgrades. This is in stark contrast to Labor which refuses, as but one example, to deliver the funding to fix our train services,” she said.
Mr Marles jumped on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s suggestion by-elections were a test of policies, leaders and candidates.
“Malcolm Turnbull made this a test of leadership,” he said. “It’s pretty clear he failed the test that he set. He has told Australians time and time again the big business tax cut is the only plan for jobs and growth, so if the big business tax cuts go, he has to go.”
In the wake of the results, the Government is said to be considering ditching its planned tax cuts for the big banks.
Companies with a business turnover over a certain threshold — which would be less than $1 billion — would not receive tax cuts under the proposal being put forward by senior ministers.
It is understood the Government will not scrap its busi- ness tax cuts and will try to pass the package through the Senate in mid-August.
But Coalition MPs, including some cabinet ministers, are calling for a threshold so corporate giants including banks do not receive the tax cuts.
It is believed the move would have a better chance of gaining crossbench support as well as the electorate.
“This result was a clear rejection of the Turnbull Government’s tax cuts for big banks, their cuts to schools and hospitals.” CORIO FEDERAL LABOR MP RICHARD MARLES