General News
6 December, 2022
Staley concedes
Liberal MP Louise Staley has conceded Ripon to Labor's Martha Haylett this afternoon. In latest counting, Ms Staley was more than 2500 votes behind. In a statement just released, Ms Staley who held the seat since 2014 and was a Coalition frontbencher...
Liberal MP Louise Staley has conceded Ripon to Labor's Martha Haylett this afternoon.
In latest counting, Ms Staley was more than 2500 votes behind.
In a statement just released, Ms Staley who held the seat since 2014 and was a Coalition frontbencher, said: "Representing the people of Ripon in the Victorian Parliament has been the greatest honour and delight of my professional life. I loved every minute of it and I thank the Liberal Party for preselecting me and the voters for electing me twice.
"The communities of Ripon rightly demand much of their MP and I worked every day to repay the trust placed in me over eight years.
"My time in public life has now ended. I will not be a candidate in the future but I look forward to backing the next Liberal candidate for Ripon and helping her or him win back the seat for the Liberal Party in 2026.
"I congratulate Martha Haylett MP on her election."
In a statement issued this afternoon, Ms Haylett said:
"Today my Liberal opponent and the current Member for Ripon, Louise Staley,
conceded the election.
"I thank her for her service to our community over the last eight years.
"It is with pride that I can now say I will be the next Member for Ripon in the Victorian
Parliament.
"To the voters of Ripon, I am humbled by your support.
"I understand the job you’ve given me and I will not let you down.
"I am incredibly grateful to my campaign team and the local true believers who
worked so hard, and have waited a long time to turn Ripon red.
"Together we achieved a result many thought we couldn’t.
"We ran a people-powered campaign with a strong message of what a Labor
Government can do for our community.
"We will get straight to work on delivering key promises, including making V/Line fares
equal with metro Melbourne, reestablishing the State Electricity Commission to
reduce power bills, upgrading sporting facilities, and building brand-new child care
centres.
"It will be the honour of my life to represent Ripon in the Victorian Parliament and do
what matters for our region."
The Ripon poll will be formally declared in Maryborough tomorrow (Thursday)
