Andrew Gee says his election to the federal seat of Calare is a homecoming of sorts to the Mudgee region where his political career began.
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Mr Gee was elected as the State Member for Orange in 2011 but lost the region to a redistribution in 2013.
“It’s a bit of a homecoming for me to the Mudgee and Gulgong areas,” he told the Guardian on Monday.
Mr Gee said he was humbled by the “very strong vote around the region”.
“I am grateful for the support of the Mudgee and the Gulgong regions,” he said. “I’d like to think that was an endorsement of my work as a state member. I am humbled by the strong showing of support.”
Mr Gee received 44,263 first-preference votes, almost double that of Labor’s Jess Jennings (24,649).
The Nationals’ margin represents 48 per cent of the vote followed by Labor’s 27 per cent.
Despite the strong numbers the Labor Party secured a 2.8 per cent swing across the region however Mr Gee said he is not concerned.
“There are a range of issues that I will be looking at and each community has its own needs.”
- Andrew Gee
“I am very grateful to the people of Mudgee and Gulgong areas for their strong vote of confidence and faith and I’ll be working to return that confidence as a strong advocate in Canberra,” Mr Gee said.
He said for those who did not vote National he has three years to demonstrate why the party should be re-elected at the next election.
While neither major party has secured enough seats to form a majority government, Mr Gee said he is quietly confident the Coalition will be returned.
“I am quietly confident but the reality is no one knows what will happen,” Mr Gee said.
“I, like the rest of Australia, will be watching on for a result.”
He said his majority vote in the region is a clear indication the community wants the government returned with a working majority rather than a hung parliament.
Mr Gee said among his list of priorities for the Mid-Western Region is a crossing at Dixons Long Point between Orange and Mudgee.
On Thursday, the Coalition Government announced a $100,000 contribution toward planning of the project if re-elected.
“That project is a priority for me,” Mr Gee said.
“There are a range of issues that I will be looking at and each community has its own needs.”
Matching the State Government’s $100,000 budget commitment, he said the funding will allow various options to be costed and assessed.
Mr Gee stood down from his role as the Member for Orange in April to contest Nationals preselection as the party’s candidate for Calare following former member John Cobb’s retirement.
