Independent candidate Ben Smith has conceded in the federal seat of Flinders, leaving Liberal Zoe McKenzie the winner in the protracted count.
The outcome has stretched nearly two weeks beyond election day with a “complex count scenario” triggered due to the inability to separate second and third polling Smith and Labor’s Sarah Race.
The three-candidate-preferred count was only finalised on Monday, with the AEC reverting to a two-candidate-preferred count with Smith and McKenzie.
With nearly all votes now counted, Smith still trailed by 5515 votes this morning making the outcome an obvious McKenzie win with the seat to be retained with around 2.6% margin.
“While we didn’t get the result we hoped for, we’ve still achieved something incredible here in Flinders,” said Smith.
“Together, we’ve shown that our community cares deeply and wants its voice to be heard.”
“For the first time in decades, this seat is no longer considered safe. That’s a powerful message – and one I hope leads to greater attention, investment, and genuine engagement with our region.”
For the Smith for Flinders campaign, what began with a small group of locals quickly grew into a grassroots movement supported by more than 600 volunteers and 500 local donors.
“I’m incredibly proud of what we built together,” said Smith.
“This campaign was never about one person. It was about all of us – about what we can achieve when we come together with a shared desire for something better.”
Smith congratulated Zoe McKenzie MP on her re-election, and Labor candidate Sarah Race for running a strong campaign.
“Earlier today, I reached out to Zoe McKenzie to congratulate her on her re-election as the Member for Flinders. I look forward to continuing to work with her in my role as CEO of the Mornington Community Support Centre, to serve our region’s most vulnerable people,” he said.
“I’ve also been in touch with Sarah Race and congratulated her on a great campaign. She and her team worked incredibly hard, and I wish her all the best.”
Zoe McKenzie told The News she is “humbled and grateful to receive a vote of confidence from the people of Flinders, to represent them as their Federal Member of Parliament for the next three years”.
“This morning Ben Smith, the independent candidate, called me to concede. He was gracious and enthusiastic for our community, as he has always been.
“I thank the candidates from other parties, and independents, who put their hands up to represent Flinders at this election.
“In the next fortnight, I will meet with those who were to benefit from my commitments across sporting and community facilities, education and mental health support, as well as youth engagement, to start the process of advocacy across three levels of government – and to fight for their implementation.
“This election saw a resounding victory for the ALP, off a primary vote of just over one third of all electors.
“My party has a great deal of reflection to do and we have lost many fine members of parliament.
We have a huge task ahead to ensure we craft policy consistent with our principles of individual choice, freedom and responsibility and reward for effort.
“I look forward to playing a big part in the evolution of my party and its platform, and ensuring that the peninsula’s needs and nature will continue to be central to both.
“I thank all the residents of Flinders – both those who voted for me and those who didn’t,” said McKenzie.
“I will work every day to ensure the peninsula gets what it deserves from Canberra, and work with my State and Council counterparts to ensure we also have our needs met by each level of government.”
