LABOR’S Ben Carroll is the new Niddrie MP with the former Steve Bracks staffer easily winning Saturday’s byelection.
A former pupil at St Christopher’s Primary School in Airport West, Mr Carroll had 46.78per cent of the first preference primary vote counted at the time the Weekly was printed.
His nearest rival with 12.54 per cent of the vote was former Keilor councillor, independent Andrea Surace.
Greens candidate Josie Lester was next with 10.35 per cent of the vote. Counting of second preference voting was due to resume yesterday.
On a two-party preferred basis, Mr Carroll won 70 per cent of the votes over Ms Lester.
With the seat held by Labor since 1976 and the Liberal Party’s decision to not stand a candidate, Mr Carroll was always outright favourite to win the byelection, called after former deputy premier Rob Hulls quit politics after a health scare.
Mr Carroll said he took nothing for granted during his campaign. ‘‘We worked very hard and door-knocked more than 2000 homes.
‘‘It was a great result and I think a clear message to [Premier] Ted Baillieu that he needs to have a jobs plan.’’
Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews said despite the fact that the Liberal Party was not on the ballot paper, the byelection had been a chance for voters to send a very clear message to Mr Baillieu.
‘‘We’ll continue to keep the pressure on this dithering premier to come up with a plan to keep Victorians at work.’’ Mr Carroll said he looked forward to hitting the ground running with seeking funding for the Essendon Keilor College master plan and working on a development plan for the former TAFE site in Avondale Heights priorities.
‘‘I’ll be a very busy local member of Parliament.’’
Niddrie, which has been a Labor stronghold since 1976, ended up as a battle between Labor, the Greens, the Sex Party, the Democratic Labor Party, the Christian Party and four independents.
