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Sophie Mirabella concedes in Indi Sophie Mirabella concedes in Indi
(about 2 hours later)
Sophie Mirabella has conceded defeat in the seat of Indi, confirming that she will not seek a recount to contest the victory of her rival, independent candidate Cathy McGowan. Prominent Coalition rightwinger Sophie Mirabella has conceded defeat in the seat of Indi, confirming that she will not seek a recount to contest the victory of her rival, independent candidate Cathy McGowan.
Mirabella, who was the shadow science minister and had held the rural Victorian seat since 2001, said that it was a “high honour and a very special privilege” to be an MP. Mirabella, who was the shadow science minister and held the rural Victorian seat since 2001, said that it was a “high honour and a very special privilege” to be an MP.
“This election is over and the responsibility for the outcome is mine,” she said in a statement. “This election is over and the responsibility for the outcome is mine,” she said in a statement. “Despite the closeness of the count I have decided not to seek a recount. I unreservedly accept the decision of the democratic process.”
“Despite the closeness of the count I have decided not to seek a recount. I unreservedly accept the decision of the democratic process.
“Today is for Cathy McGowan. I wish her success in the service of the people of Indi.”“Today is for Cathy McGowan. I wish her success in the service of the people of Indi.”
Mirabella held open the prospect of an attempt to regain the seat in the next election, stating: “I will work with every ounce of my being to see this seat return to the Coalition but that is for another day.
“I am just so grateful to everyone in the Liberal and National parties who have supported my campaign, to Tony Abbott, I repeat my overwhelming thanks for his selfless generosity and mentorship.”
Mirabella secured 44.7% of the primary vote in Indi, down 7% on the 2010 election. McGowan won 31% of the primary vote and was carried to victory on a strong preference flow from the Greens, Labor and the Palmer United Party.
In a close and prolonged count, McGowan is currently 389 votes ahead of Mirabella. However, with little more than 600 postal and pre-poll votes to count, Mirabella’s chances of overcoming this deficit is negligible, based on voting trends.
McGowan ran a broad-based insurgent campaign based on local concerns, articulated through a “kitchen table” consultation called Voice 4 Indi, over broadband availability, mobile phone blackspots and health and transport infrastructure.
Her campaign argued that Mirabella was an out-of-touch career-focused politician who has taken Indi for granted. Mirabella is viewed by many of her opponents as being divisive and ideological.
In response, Mirabella’s camp argued she was a strong advocate for the region and that Indi will suffer from not having representation at the heart of the new Coalition government.
Mirabella is the only sitting Liberal MP to lose their seat in the election.
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