By Kelly Yates
LABOR’S Laura Smyth says she’s not “counting her chickens” yet despite looking certain to win the seat of La Trobe.
The 33-year-old is predicting she’ll have the official results of the Federal Election later this week, and if elected, she says it will be the first time in 20 years the Labor Party has held the seat of La Trobe.
“The trend of voting is certainly positive and I’m pretty hopeful I’ll get in,” she said.
Ms Smyth said she was excited at the prospect of being an MP, taking the electorate from Liberal Jason Wood who has held the seat for six years.
Mr Wood said he would need a “minor miracle” to reclaim the seat.
“It will be very hard to come back from here in terms of the way the voting has happened,” he said.
Ms Smyth said she spent election day at polling booths in Pakenham, Berwick and Ferntree Gully.
“I also spent an hour with my family and then went to the Upwey Belgrave RSL and watched the results with my campaign volunteers,” she said.
Ms Smyth said she believed Labor had a “better agenda” for the area.
“We are the only party focussing on health, education, proper infrastructure and better broadband,” she said.
Mr Wood said it had been a “great honour and privilege” to serve the La Trobe electorate.
“The support I’ve received from the community, volunteers and my staff has been fantastic,” he said.
Mr Wood congratulated Ms Smyth.
“It’s a big achievement to be the next member for La Trobe. And from day one, the phones won’t stop ringing,” he said.
Mr Wood said he had already been offered some business opportunities, but had no plans to return to the police force.
