By Paul Dunlop
CLIFFHANGER contests are predicted for the seats of Gembrook and Bass when voters go to the polls on Saturday.
Residents will have the eyes of Victoria upon them as they decide the outcome of two of the most soughtafter prizes in the State Election.
A mere handful of votes could separate contenders in Bass and Gembrook.
Will voters stick with the status quo and reelect Gembrook Labor MP Tammy Lobato and Bass Liberal MP Ken Smith?
Or will the challenges put up by Liberal candidate Simon Wildes in Gembrook, Labor’s John Anderson in Bass and a host of other candidates shape a very different outcome?
All will soon be revealed as the election campaign reaches an enthralling local climax – one which many observers believe will help shape the overall result.
None of the main players was prepared to predict victory, but all candidates told the Gazette they were confident they had done their best during a long and exhaustive campaign.
Mr Smith, who holds Bass by a margin of just 0.65 per cent, said he expected a tight result.
He said the Liberals had run a positive campaign that focused on delivering basic services and infrastructure.
“Gas in Kooweerup, school upgrades in Nar Nar Goon, car parking at Pakenham Railway Station and nearly $1 milllion for the Pakenham pool. We’ve been fair dinkum but we’ve also been realistic,” Mr Smith said.
“These are not flash, unachievable promises, they’re basic issues for the community.”
Bass Labor candidate John Anderson said the result shaped to be very interesting.
He believed he had made an impact in the electorate.
“Every vote to me is precious,” Mr Anderson said.
“The people of Bass deserve someone who will actually work for them.
“I will certainly do that work and I have proven that during the campaign.”
Ms Lobato, whose upset win in 2002 smashed perceptions about the area’s political leanings, said the outcome would be extremely close, but voters in Gembrook had a genuine choice.
“(They can) return to the bad old ways or continue with a grassroots community person with runs on the board,” she said.
Liberal candidate Simon Wildes said it was time for a change. He accused the Labor government of seven years of wasted opportunity.
Mr Wildes said the Liberals had made a range of promises that would deliver health, education and road improvements for the Gembrook electorate.
Win or lose, candidates said they would continue their efforts right up to the last minute of the campaign.
Pakenham’s main polling centre will be at the secondary college, with others at the Uniting Church hall and the Pakenham Hills Primary School.
Berwick’s main polling centre is also at the town’s secondary college.
Booths are open from 8am to 6pm on Saturday.
For a full list of polling booth locations in the area check www.vec .vic.gov.au
>>> More reports, pictures: pages 1115.
