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Incumbents hold on

22 Aug, 2010 12:02 PM
UNLIKE much of the rest of the country, the power of incumbency was enough for re-election in south-western NSW.

Despite a staunch campaign by the Liberal Party in the Riverina, Nationals newcomer Michael McCormack managed to hold on to the vast majority of the conservative vote that propelled outgoing member Kay Hull to a successful political career, attracting 45 per cent of the total vote while Liberals' Andrew Negline could only gather 16 per cent.

That left Labor's Robyn Hakelis to pick up 22 per cent of the vote - the closest challenge to Mr McCormack.

Mr McCormack will not enjoy a margin quite as large as his predecessor's most recent 14 per cent but his performance in this election will reaffirm in the minds of voters that the Riverina is still a blue ribbon Nationals seat.

"People have said turn Riverina marginal, turn it independent, turn it the L word but the people of the Riverina are smart people and they know which party delivers," Mr McCormack said.

In Farrer, Sussan Ley celebrated the prize of a fourth term in office - putting fears that she was on the nose with farmers aside by romping home.

With about 95 per cent of the votes for the electorate counted, Mrs Ley has attracted more than 50 per cent of the total, which will give her a slightly reduced margin compared to what she's previously enjoyed.

The popular Liberal member last night said she was "very happy with the result", which now looks as though it will afford her a seat in a minority Coalition government.

In Hume, the durable Alby Schultz will go around for the fifth time after securing a staggering 53 per cent of the vote.

Mr Schultz will enjoy an increased margin thanks to a 13 per cent swing away from Labor and the smaller parties.

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COALITION RETAINED: The Liberal and Nationals parties have retained the seats of Farrer, Hume and Riverina. Michael McCormack (right) took over from Kay Hull in Riverina. Picture: Glenn Henderson
COALITION RETAINED: The Liberal and Nationals parties have retained the seats of Farrer, Hume and Riverina. Michael McCormack (right) took over from Kay Hull in Riverina. Picture: Glenn Henderson

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