In what many now declare as a win, as we wait for further votes to be counted, the NSW State seat of Bega is about to be held for the first time by Labor.
The Labor victory will be its first in Bega, which has been held by the Liberals since its creation in 1988.
The Labor candidate, Dr Michael Holland, has played a straight bat through the election period delivering consistent messaging of his advocacy across many key issues, but foremost the issue of provision of improved health services.
The loss of the Liberal held seat comes as a blow to the party as they entered the election cocksure that all they need to do was say that their candidate would continue the work done by her predecessor. This backfired considerably when social media began to reveal many of the failings within the region, especially in delivery of essentials such as health, emergency services and education.
One by one current NSW Liberal Ministers were rolled out to offer high powered endorsement but their promises and commitments came too late with questions asked around the timing of long overdue funding suggesting that the promises were little more than inducements.
This will be the third los in a row for the Liberal Candidate so it is highly unlikely that the Federal Liberals will attempt to run her again against Kristy McBain who holds the Federal seat of Eden Monaro.
In the Gilmore seat the pre-selected liberal candidate will also have a challenge to take on Fiona Phillips, the Federal Member for Gilmore given the overwhelming shift in voting in the south east.
Fiona Phillips MP with Dr Michael Holland
