Bass now the "most marginal seat" in the state

AT LAST, the election race in the local State electoral district of Bass is over, and Labor’s Jordan Crugnale has been declared the winner, by only 202 votes.

It’s the final one of 87 elections to be decided, with Narracan still to come, increasing Labor’s majority from the ‘Danslide’ of 2018, when Labor won 55 seats, to 56 seats in the 60th Victorian Parliament.

But it brings into sharp focus the fact that dozens, possibly hundreds of voters were turned away when ballot papers ran out at four, possibly seven of the 26 voting places in Bass.

Bass Liberals are secretly seething about the voting “shambles” and are likely to call for a full inquiry once the dust settles.

For now, though, its all about Jordan Crugnale taking a seat at the table of the rampaging Victorian Parliamentary Labor Party, with prospects of a new leadership role in the new parliament.

Communicating with her supporters on Facebook, Ms Crugnale was delighted.

“Waiting for final figures but understood to be a margin of around 100 votes,” said Ms Crugnale.

At 10.02pm on Friday night, December 9, the Victorian Electoral Commission published the "final" margin at 202 votes, Jordan Crugnale (Labor) 20,803 and Aaron Brown (Liberal) 20,601. There were 44,539 votes, of which 3135 were informal, a turnout of 89.11% of the 49,984 eligible voters.

Bass is now the most marginal seat in the state, the parties separated here by 202 votes compared to the next closest margin in Pakenham where Labor's Emma Vulin defeated David Farrelly (Liberal) by 307 votes.

“It was always going to be close with or without the redistribution and I have never once taken anything for granted.

“It’s been a privilege and an honour to work for and with our community and together we have achieved so much.

“Always more to do, so let’s get cracking!”

There have already been some suggestions about where the returning Member for Bass should start.

Road repairs, they say, would be a good place to begin:

Greg Dyke: Better roads in Bass Coast

Travis Effern: Jordan’s first job should be to push for the rebuilding of all local vicroads in her electorate. Dangerous is a understatement

The Sentinel-Times has called on Ms Crugnale to work for the early release of “the full suite of Stage 1” Inverloch erosion reports. But, at least one other Sentinel reader has set her priorities:

Amber Lucas: What about our homeless or near homeless 1st then fix the beaches

Ms Crugnale has expressed her gratitude:

“To be re-elected for another term is beyond amazing, humbling and am streaming with tears of gratitude.

“I will apply that same determination, grit and fight, be that constant (loud) voice at our government table and build on the momentum we have already started and keep at it – we need and deserve a whole heap more.

“A big welcome to the new communities of Bass from Tooradin across to Pearcedale, Devon Meadows and Cranbourne South - I so look forward to listening, walking beside you and representing you in Spring Street. You equally deserve to get the services, programs, supports and infrastructure you need.

“It has been a remarkable journey and I want to also thank the communities and people in Pakenham and Clyde North for opening their arms, homes, schools, clubs and centres in welcoming me so I could represent you, work with you and get positive outcomes too.

“Our paths will always cross as so many of our projects and programs go beyond the electorate walls and the many beautiful connections and friendships made are long lasting too.

“Big thank you to the VEC staff who have worked so hard over many weeks and been super meticulous in all the rechecks and counts.”

Although it is understood that the VEC had to rule out hundreds of votes as “informal” when voters failed to number at least nine of the 10 boxes on the ballot paper, or used ‘ticks’ and ‘crosses’, or single numbers to indicate their preferences.

Ms Crugnale also thanked the other candidates.

“In admiration, always of candidates that put their hand up – for what is the biggest interview panel ever with over 45,000 community members having their say. It was wonderful to spend time with many of you over the two weeks at pre-poll and gain insight into what drives and energises you.

“To all our volunteers, colleagues, friends, supporters and my office team extraordinaries who have held me and my family these last four years – more tears of gratitude flow here too.

“Love Bass, community at heart, thank you.”