Broadbent’s margin virtually unchanged Wanted man arrested
The poll was declared by Australian Electoral Commission divisional office manager Darren McNair on Wednesday.
On a two-candidate preferred basis, Mr Broadbent was re-elected with 57.37 per cent of the vote over the ALPs Jessica O’Donnell on 42.63 per cent.
Mr Broadbent’s hold on the seat remains virtually unchanged, with only a 0.14 per cent swing against him on two candidate preferred votes.
On primary votes, Mr Broadbent secured 46.27 per cent of the vote with 46,502 people voting for him.
Ms O’Donnell received 29,657 primary votes - 29.5 per cent of the vote.
Other candidates in ballot paper order were John Verhoeven (independent) – 2.71 per cent; Michael Fozard (independent) – 2.86 per cent; Jeff Waddell (Pauline Hanson’s One Nation) – 7.63 per cent; William Hornstra (Greens) – 7.01 per cent; and Matthew Sherry (United Australia Party) – 4.01 per cent.
Following a boundary redistribution and renaming of the electorate, Mr Broadbent will be the first Member for Monash. It is his eighth term, serving six in McMillan and one in Corinella.
At last week’s poll declaration, Mr Broadbent acknowledged the other six candidates who ran for Monash.
“I especially acknowledge Jessica O’Donnell. She ran a terrific campaign and is very energetic and dedicated to her community,” he said.
Mr Broadbent acknowledged the work of his office staff and AEC staff who were professional throughout the campaign.
“You dealt with issues on behalf of the people who felt aggrieved. Sometimes there is a lack of knowledge in the community and the confusion was very diligently dealt with,” he said.
Mr McNair said it was a smooth-running campaign with no problems. He said some questions were raised at pre-polling centres when people were turned away from voting early because they failed to have a valid reason to vote early.
Mr McNair said there was some confusion between state and federal voting regulations, explaining that voters did not have to provide a reason to vote early at a state election.
However, voters casting their vote early for federal elections have to meet eligibility criteria, he said.
More than 32,660 people voted early at pre-poll voting centres, representing 29 per cent of voters.
All but one pre poll centre strongly favoured Mr Broadbent who attracted 54 and 53 per cent of the pre-poll votes at Warragul and Pakenham respectively.
Of the 112,516 people on the electoral roll, there was a 93.4 per cent voter turnout, of which 4.39 per cent were informal votes.
A Warragul man wanted on outstanding warrants was arrested by police in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Police intercepted the man at 1.45am in Warragul. He was allegedly in possession of drugs.
The 34-year-old man was charged with possession of drugs and a series of thefts, including thefts of clothes from the Drouin Laundromat last month.
Police said the man was wanted for a number of outstanding warrants. He was remanded in custody to appear at court today.