THE past three federal elections have seen the Liberal Party vote in the Flinders electorate drop from a high of 59.14% in 2013 to 55.64% in 2019.
Each election was won for the Liberals by Greg Hunt, who had held the seat since 2001, but is now retiring.
The same three elections have seen the proportion of the vote for independent candidates jump from less than 1% to nearly 16%, a figure that could be eclipsed this year with the greater emphasis being placed on independents across Australia.
The 2013 election saw 10 candidates contest the seat, with Hunt increasing his winning margin by 2.67% (after distribution of preferences).
His Labor opponent Josh Sinclair achieved 40.86% of the vote and the one independent candidate receive just 0.75%.
In 2016, there were six candidates, including one independent with 3.06% of the vote.
Hunt’s winning margin was chipped back 4.04% to 57.77% by Labor’s Carolyn Gleixner, 42.23%.
Three years ago, there were nine candidates, including disaffected former Liberal MP, Julia Banks. Banks and one other independent scored nearly 16% of the vote.
Hunt was back, but with 55.64% of the vote, 1.37% down on the previous election. Labor’s Josh Sinclair received 44.36% of the vote after preferences.
Candidates for next Saturday’s (21 May) federal election as they appear on the ballot paper:
Alex van der End, United Australia Party
Cyndi Marr, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation
Chrysten Abraham, Liberal Democratic party
Zoe McKenzie, Liberal Party of Australia
Jefferson Earl, Australian Federation Party
Colin Lane, The Australian Greens
Sarah Russell, independent
Surbhi Snowball, Australian Labor Party
Despi O’Connor, independent
Pamela Engelander, Animal Justice Party
All candidates were invited to send 300-word statements to The News (Flinders candidates have their say). Cyndi Marr, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation and Pamela Engelander, Animal Justice Party did not respond.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 17 May 2022
