General News
2 June, 2022
Dyson concedes as Tehan retains Wannon
INCUMBENT Wannon MP Dan Tehan has retained the seat despite a large swing to independent challenger Alex Dyson, who conceded on Tuesday after a tight race.
INCUMBENT Wannon MP Dan Tehan has retained the seat despite a large swing to independent challenger Alex Dyson, who conceded on Tuesday after a tight race.
Mr Dyson contacted Liberal MP Dan Tehan earlier this week to congratulate him on the closest Wannon campaign in decades, and officially concede the result as out of reach.
“After a spirited campaign it was the right thing to do to make the call,” Mr Dyson said.
“Ideally the official results would have been known much sooner, as the votes are still being counted due to the tightness of the race.
“I decided it was in Wannon’s best interest to bow out and allow the member to get to work on addressing the many issues that were brought up with me throughout the campaign.”
At the time of writing, the Australian Electoral Commission listed Mr Tehan as leading the two candidate preferred vote 55.17 per cent to Dyson’s 44.83 per cent, with 42 per cent of ballot papers counted.
While Mr Tehan collected 44.98 per cent of first preference votes to Dyson’s 19.75 per cent, preferences heavily favoured the 33 year-old independent for a 10 per cent first preference swing in favour and a six per cent swing against Tehan.
Labor candidate Gilbert Wilson also experienced a six per cent swing against as Wannon voters joined the nation-wide trend of voters flocking to independents and minor parties.
Mr Tehan experienced a swing against in larger communities in Wannon but retained a rural edge locally.
At the final tally the result will likely represent the tightest race for Wannon since Mr Tehan, who has held the seat for five terms, first ran.
Mr Dyson said the support highlighted campaign issues of integrity, climate action, housing and a fair share of funding for the area struck a chord with locals.
“Dan was very gracious as always, we complimented each other on the spirit in which the campaign was run, and I wished him well for the next three years,” he said.
“In the meantime, I also want to call on the Labor government to support his efforts over the next term to support Wannon on a needs basis, and not allow partisan politics to allow our home to be left behind for a moment longer.
“I want to thank every single volunteer and voter who helped prove that a fresh voice for Wannon was not only possible, but with a strong positive campaign, something that could indeed be probable in 2025.”