With the final votes from the federal election confirmed, Louise Markus can officially resume her role as the member for Macquarie.
The announcement made at the Australian Electoral Commission’s (AEC) office in Penrith last Tuesday morning was the official introduction into what will be Mrs Markus’s second term of holding this seat.
Mrs Markus wished the other candidates success in their future and said it was “an honour and a privilege” to serve the region, an honour she didn’t take for granted.
‘’From here on in I will be working to deliver on what the Coalition and I have committed to for Macquarie, this includes the Mobile Black Spot coverage program, CCTV for key hot spots in the electorate, Green Army projects, Western Sydney Conservation Corridor and funding for tourism,’’ she said.
“I will also be bringing together a committee for the ANZAC Centenary Grants program so that we as a community can identify key projects that will contribute to the commemoration of ANZAC in Macquarie.’’
On a two-candidate preferred basis, the final tally put Mrs Markus on a 3.23 per cent swing above Labor candidate for Macquarie Susan Templeman — an increase from the 2010 election where the swing towards Mrs Markus was 1.54 per cent.
The swing to the Liberals was less in Macquarie than it was in neighbouring Lindsay, where Fiona Scott achieved a four per cent swing, but better than the 2.04 percent swing against the Liberals in Greenway. Mrs Markus’ final vote count came to 48,992, while Ms Templeman’s was 40,913. Macquarie remains a marginal seat.
While accepting defeat, Ms Templeman wanted to assure residents she would continue her role as Labor spokesperson for Macquarie, as the president of the Labor Party’s Macquarie Federal Electorate Council.
“More than ever there will be a need for alternative voices to speak out against the dominant Liberals in the Hawkesbury,” Ms Templeman said. “Only a week after being sworn in, the Federal Resources Minister, Ian Macfarlane, is pushing NSW to fast-track coal seam gas projects in the state, claiming there is a ‘gas crisis’. These are issues where the Member for Macquarie needs to speak out against her minister and protect the Hawkesbury.’’
