Tehan claims victory in Wannon

MEMBER for Wannon Dan Tehan has claimed victory in Wannon.

With 76,000 of the 99,200 counted, Mr Tehan had 58.5 per cent of the votes on a two candidate preferred basis, a drop of 1.54 per cent on his 2013 result.

Labor candidate Michael Barling had 41.4 per cent, up by 1.5 per cent on his 2013 result.

Mr Barling said the 2016 campaign would be his last tilt at federal politics.

Mr Tehan said he was pleased the swing to Labor in Wannon was less than the national swing of about 2.9 per cent and he expected the swing against him would be reduced when postal votes came in.

On the national outcome, Mr Tehan said it was going to be very close but he expected the Coalition “would still have the numbers to form government.”

The swing to Labor had been a “surprise” because he believed the Turnbull government had run a “very positive agenda and that the negative agenda run by Labor leader Bill Shorten” would not prevail, he said.

UPDATE 9.15pm:

In Wannon, 57.65 per cent of the votes have been counted, with the two party preferred result showing Mr Tehan on 58.03 and Mr Barling on 41.97 per cent, meaning a swing of 2.04 per cent.

Greens candidate Thomas Campbell’s swing has also moderated, showing as 1.91 per cent.

UPDATE 8.45pm:

The swing against Mr Tehan moderating, as is the swing to Mr Barling.

With more than 62,465 of the more than 99,000 votes counted about 8pm, the results so far show a swing of 1.50 per cent to Mr Barling and 1.21 per cent against incumbent Liberal member Dan Tehan.

On a two party preferred basis, Mr Tehan is still well ahead on 57.55 per cent with Mr Barling on 42.45 per cent, which represents a swing of 2.34 per cent.

UPDATE 8pm: EARLY voting in Wannon is continuing to show swings against incumbent Liberal member Dan Tehan and in favour of Labor’s Michael Barling and the Greens’ Thomas Campbell.

WITH more than 48,000 of the more than 96,000 votes counted about 8pm, the results so far show a small swing of 2.27 per cent to Mr Barling and 2.28 per cent against incumbent Liberal member Dan Tehan.

Greens candidate Thomas Campbell has picked up a swing in his favour of 2.28 per cent.

On a two party preferred basis, Mr Tehan is still well ahead on 57.5 per cent with Mr Barling on 42.5 per cent.

Independent candidate Bernardine Atkinson has 3.49 per cent of votes counted and fellow independent Michael McCluskey 4.68 per cent.