By Brendan Rees
Liberal candidate Neale Burgess looks set to retain his seat of Hastings after the Labor Party stormed to victory in the state election.
With more than 71 per cent of votes counted, Mr Burgess held 52.07 per cent of the two-party preferred votes – ahead of Labor candidate Simon Meyer, who was sitting on 47.93 per cent of preferred votes.
Mr Burgess acknowledged Labor’s huge win, saying “I congratulate the Andrews Labor Government on being given the honour of governing our great state for another four years.”
“Victorians spoke loudly and clearly on Saturday and as always, when our community speaks, I listen,” he said.
Mr Burgess said the Hastings electorate was “too close to call,” with 30 per cent of the vote still to be counted and recounts to follow.
“I am hopeful that our local community has seen fit to again given me the great honour of serving them. If so, I will continue to represent each and every one of them, to the very best of my ability,” he said.
“I would also like to congratulate each of the other candidates that contested Saturday’s election, for their positive campaigns.”
Mr Meyer has been contacted for comment.
Four candidates had thrown their hat in the ring for the seat of Hastings which covers Bittern, Blind Bight, Cannons Creek, Crib Point, French Island, Hastings, HMAS Cerberus, Langwarrin, Langwarrin South, Pearcedale, Somerville, Tooradin, Tyabb and Warneet. Also parts of Baxter, Clyde, Cranbourne South, Devon Meadows, Frankston North and Moorooduc.
Schools, health, education, and roads were shaping as key issues to decide who took Hastings.
