THERE has been no counting in the tightly-contested electorate of Bass today, Monday, November 28.
Despite it being one of the three closest results in the state election, no additional votes have been counted, and there has been no change in the margin of 225, in favour of the incumbent Jordan Crugnale (Labor), since the weekend.
A total of 33696 votes or 67.41% of the total enrolment at the close of rolls was counted at the weekend, most of it on election night, Saturday night, with only a few adjustments from checking on Sunday.
There has only been rechecking of votes already counted at the weekend, today, Monday.
More votes, up to as many as 11,000 votes still need to arrive and be counted, with new votes expected to be added to the tally from Tuesday onwards.
It could, however, be weeks before the result in Bass is officially declared.
While Ms Crugnale leads the count now, voting on election day marginally favoured the Liberals’ Aaron Brown, who was also collecting 57% of the postal votes as well, which traditionally favour the conservative parties.
Should Mr Brown continue to get the benefit of postals, and election-day voting, in the form of absentee votes, flowing his way, he’s still right in the contest.
Both Ms Crugnale and Mr Brown acknowledged it was “way too early to call it”.
“It was always going to be close with or without the redistribution and I have never once taken anything for granted,” Jordan Crugnale told the Sentinel-Times.
“I am absolutely thrilled and relieved that our Andrews Labor Government has been returned and we can continue to build on our progressive and positive program and agenda for all Victorians,” she said, while waiting for the result to be revealed.
Mr Brown is equally hopeful the remaining votes go his way.
“It's too early to call the result for Bass but I remain hopeful. I ran a positive grass-roots campaign, focussed on local issues,” Mr Brown said.
“Many of the Liberal policies were well-received by locals, particularly commitments towards improving our roads, development of local hospitals, Inverloch erosion and an aquatic centre on Phillip Island, to name a few.”
In the end, former Bass Coast Mayor Brett Tessari (Nationals) polled 15.23% of the vote, a strong showing in an electorate that has been dominated by the major parties apart from the period between February 1997 and November 2002 when independent Susan Davies held the seat of Gippsland West in a minority Labor Government.
Wonthaggi’s Callum Bugbird also performed well for the Greens, so far with 2508 votes or 7.91%. Both Mr Tessari’s and Mr Bugbird’s preferences could prove crucial in the final outcome.
If the result is close, and there are calls for a complete recount, it could be as late as December 12 before the result in Bass is official.
The count in Bass
Candidate by candidate votes in the District of Bass at the close of counting at 11.42pm on Saturday, November 26:
-
Brett TESSARI, The Nationals, 4830 (15.23%)
- Mark O'NEILL, Labour DLP, 1009 (3.18%)
- Marcus MUNDAY, Freedom Party, 625 (1.97%)
- Martin VERHAGEN, Family First, 789 (2.49%)
- Jordan CRUGNALE, Labor, 10,441 (32.92%)
- Elly MOUSELLIS, Animal Justice Party, 750 (2.36%)
- Aaron BROWN, Liberal, 9182 (28.95%)
- Meg EDWARDS, Independent, 735 (2.32%)
- Callum BUGBIRD, Greens, 2508 (7.91%)
- Jeni JOBE, Independent 850 (2.68%)
Two party preferred (actual count)
- Jordan CRUGNALE, Labor 15,968 (50.35%)
- Aaron BROWN, Liberal 15,743 (49.65%)