Labor has returned to government with an increased majority winning 52 of the 45 seats needed in the lower house, compared to the Liberal/Nationals 23 with 64.81 per cent of the vote counted.
Local Bendigo West Labor incumbent Maree Edwards has also been successful in winning a fourth term in office. Fellow Bendigo East Labor party member Jacinta Allan was also returned with a majority vote.
Ms Edwards has been the local member since 2010, and was re-elected in 2014 and 2018.
On Saturday Maree Edwards polled 46.73 per cent of first preference votes, ahead of Liberal candidate Ken Price 24.24 percent, Greens candidate James Searle 12.52 per cent, Legalise Cannabis Victoria candidate Wayne Taylor 5.14 per cent, Family First Victoria candidate Steve Serpell 3.78 per cent, Independent Matt Bansemer 2.77 per cent, Animal Justice Party candidate Victoria Maxwell 2.53 per cent, Freedom Party Victoria candidate Richard Woolley 1.38 per cent and Independent candidate Marilyn Nuske 0.91 per cent.
In the two candidate preferred vote in Bendigo West Labor recorded 65.51 per cent and the Liberal’s 34.39 per cent.
Speaking at Trades Hall Bendigo following the election win, Ms Edwards said she was honoured to be re-elected to represent Bendigo West for the next four years.
“Thank you, to my volunteers, supporters, friends, family, team and our community,” she said.
Placing her vote on Saturday Ms Edwards said a vote for Labor was a vote for free kinder, bringing back the SEC, making V/Line fares fair, expanding free TAFE, more investment in local schools and more action on climate.
Ms Edwards made a raft of local commitments during her election campaign including $4 million to relocate and expand Castlemaine TAFE and $100,000 funding boost to the team at the Maldon Vintage Machinery and Museum (pictured).