By Margaret Maccoll
The ABC’s election analyst Anthony Green called the election for Sandy Bolton on Saturday night and while the Independent candidate is waiting for the final result she is optimistic about the outcome, with preferences expected to flow her way.
Ms Bolton attributed her anticipated toppling of long-term LNP incumbent Glen Elmes to identifying the community’s long-term problems and showing people she could deliver.
“Together with hundreds of amazing supporters, we took the fight up to the big parties with a really spectacular grassroots campaign,” she said.
“The vote of the major parties declined dramatically in Noosa.
“It seems clear that, without fundamental change, they will continue their decline in this electorate.”
The photographs said it all at election parties on Saturday night.
As Ms Bolton’s supporters, including Noosa councillors, celebrated at Zabe Espresso Bar at Tewantin, the mood was sombre among Mr Elmes’ supporters at their nearby gathering at Noosa Pirates Rugby League Club.
On Saturday night Mr Elmes thanked his long-term campaign supporters, his staff and his family who stood by him during his 11 years in office.
“I’ve put my family through a lot the last 11 years,” he said.
“I just want to say how grateful I am for their support and love, I really do.”
Ms Bolton said her campaign showed how a true community-based movement behaving with integrity and without dirty tricks could achieve impressive results at the polls.
“Whatever happens in the next few days, win or lose, we’ll have made a positive difference for our people and our politics,” she said.
“The big parties will never take this community for granted again and they’ll be more motivated to deliver on the promises that matter to us.”
Mr Elmes’ office said on Monday he had not released a statement and was awaiting the results of the voting count.
