Voters returned Casey Liberal candidate Tony Smith to the seat.
By Casey Neill
CASEY Liberal candidate Tony Smith will retain the seat following a nail-biting Federal Election.
But Australian Labor Party candidate Sami Hisheh said the result was a significant win for Labor, with Mr Smith forced to rely on preferences to win the seat for the first time since he was elected in 2001.
“We’ve turned Casey into a truly marginal seat,” he said.
Mr Smith yesterday told the Mail he was looking forward to working hard for the electors.
“I’m honoured and humbled to be re-elected as Federal Member for Casey,” he said.
“I’d like to thank all of the electors and residents of Casey for their support.”
Mr Smith said Labor losing its majority across the country had cost the party its legitimacy.
“They’re not capable of delivering a competent and stable government,” he said.
According to the Australian Electoral Commission Tony Smith secured 47.3 per cent of the vote on first preferences – a 2.42 per cent swing against the incumbent.
Mr Hisheh attracted 36.23 per cent of the vote which was a 0.38 per cent swing from the 2007 poll result.
Mr Smith won 53.51 per cent of the two candidate preferred vote after preferences were distributed.
Almost five per cent of Casey cast their vote for Family First’s Daniel Harrison.
Australian Greens candidate Brendan Powell won 11.10 per cent of the vote – a 3.78 per cent swing.
But unlike other areas, the Greens did not direct their preferences to Labor.
“The reason for this is unknown to me. This may have affected the final outcome,” Mr Hisheh said.
But the result marked significant gains for Labor in Casey, he said.
“I’m proud of what we have achieved,” he said.
“This has been a grassroots campaign by local Labor members and supporters, and ordinary people in the local community.
“The fight in Casey between me and Liberal opponent Tony Smith was a David versus Goliath fight.”
Mr Hisheh said his budget was a fraction of Mr Smith’s.
“But we gave the Liberals a real scare in Casey,” he said.
He said the result was better than in other comparable seats in the eastern suburbs because of his background as a resident for almost 30 years and a local small business owner for 20 years, willingness to listen and support the community and honesty.
