Labor’s Justine Elliot has officially claimed victory in the seat of Richmond after Greens Party candidate Mandy Nolan conceded on Tuesday, bringing the dramatic contest to a close.
The historic eighth win by Ms Elliot surpasses the seven election victories by former Deputy Prime Minister Doug Anthony who held the seat for the Country Party and Nationals from 1957 to 1984.
Latest counting shows Elliot ahead with 29,547 primary votes, followed by the Greens on 25,486, and the Nationals’ Kimberly Hone in third with 24,366.
Nationals candidate Hone conceded and went back to work on Monday, but Elliot held off declaring victory until Tuesday when the Greens’ Nolan formally acknowledged defeat.
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Despite the outcome, Nolan celebrated what she described as a “revolution of hope” and a record-breaking result for the Greens in the region.
Once a safe Nationals seat, Richmond’s result reflects a continuing shift in political realignment in the region.
The Nationals were pushed into third place for the first time on primaries, as the Greens surged into second, gaining ground in traditional Labor and conservative strongholds alike. However those numbers could change as postal votes are added.
Ms Elliot expressed deep gratitude to her supporters and highlighted a positive swing to Labor.
“We faced a tough campaign, but in the end, locals voted for Australian values – fairness, aspiration and opportunity for all,” she said.
“Your support means so much to me, and you can count on me to be a strong voice at the table in the majority Albanese Labor Government.”
She praised her campaign team’s efforts, which included over 50,000 calls and door-knocks, and pledged to focus on strengthening Medicare, tackling the cost of living, building housing, and delivering a new free urgent care clinic.
On Tuesday, Ms Nolan addressed supporters with a heartfelt concession message, reflecting on the Greens’ continuing rise in Richmond.
“This isn’t the outcome we poured our hearts into, but we made history,” she said. “We achieved the highest Green vote ever in this region. Second place ahead of the Nationals. Our movement has grown beyond what any of us imagined, and this is only the start.”
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