MOUNT Gambier may have regional representation in the Legislative Council as Labor’s Upper House candidate Clare Scriven looks likely to gain a seat.
With 66pc of first preference votes counted, the Australian Labor Party had received 29.7pc, trailing the Liberal Party by just 1.8pc and securing at least three Upper House positions of the 11 vacant seats statewide.
Ms Scriven, who was number four on Labor’s Legislative Council ticket, said she was “cautiously optimistic” about the possibility of an eight-year term.
“I’m pretty calm and I’m just waiting to see what happens,” she said.
“There’s nothing I can do but wait.
“It’s still not certain because we’re waiting to see where the preferences go and it’s possible I could be knocked out.”
With ballot voting expected to resume this week, former Legislative Council members Robert Brokenshire (Australian Conservatives) and Kelly Vincent (Dignity Party) are likely to lose their seats after preferences.
The former Labor staffer said she was hopeful to gain the seat to ensure strong regional representation in parliament.
“I’m hoping we will have a regional representative who lives in the regions in the Upper House,” she said.
“It really gives us an opportunity to build up a strong position in this region which the Labor Party has not done for so long.
“Mount Gambier may be a long Liberal area for the last two generations and that has served to lessen our regional engagement.
“My biggest goal is reestablish that engagement.
“I think the benefit of our region needs to be sold better in Adelaide and if I am in elected I will represent the whole state, but my passion is and will continue to be Mount Gambier.”
Legislative Council ballots will be counted from March 21.
