By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
HOLT MP Anthony Byrne has held on to his seat, despite a swing away from the Labor Party.
Mr Byrne wasn’t immune from his party’s troubles at the polls after a 3.2 per cent two party preferred swing against him in Holt.
“The Australian people indicated quite clearly that they wished to change the government of this country. This was a very strong sentiment,” Mr Byrne said.
“Therefore I am very pleased that we only had a minimal swing of 3.2 per cent against us in Holt. We ran a strong local campaign.”
Liberal candidate for Holt Ricardo Balancy said his recent campaign was one of the best his party had run in Holt despite not receiving his desired result.
“I believe Holt can become a Coalition seat,” he said.
“We really put pressure on them (Labor Party) and showed that people were looking for something different.”
Mr Balancy said the carbon tax, cost of living and jobs were the key issues for people in Holt and predicted he would run for the seat again if his party approved.
“I’ve been part of this community for 20 years. I will remain engaged at a political level and if the party consider me as the candidate again, I won’t shy away from it.”
“We will continue our battle on the ground.”
Following his party’s disappointing election result, Mr Byrne also said he will be supporting former minister Bill Shorten as the next Labor Party leader.
“I think the Australian community have had enough of the divisions within our party over the last three years,” he said.
“Our discussions need to be about the Australian people and the future of our country not just the Australian Labor Party.”
