FORMER Member for MacKillop Mitch Williams has applauded his soon to be successor Nick McBride on his election to parliament.
After spending the majority of his two-decade parliamentary career in opposition, the veteran politician said he was “pretty excited” the MP-elect would be serving his first term in government.
“He will go in and be part of a government and he’ll have a real opportunity to make things happen, which is difficult to do from opposition,” he said.
“Country South Australia and the electorate of MacKillop are desperate to see tax dollars returned to our area.
“What has happened with the downgrading of services at the Millicent Hospital and the roads not only around Millicent and surrounding areas but right across MacKillop under the Labor Government has been appalling.
“I know Nick is very interested in the Millicent Hospital, it is one of his pet projects and he will be in a position to make some real changes and I am highly excited about that.”
The Conmurra grazier recorded an overwhelming victory at the Saturday election, receiving 54.1pc of the primary vote ahead of a field of six candidates, including SA-Best’s Tracy Hill.
However, the blue-ribbon seat saw a 10.9pc swing against the candidate, with Ms Hill clinching 18.9pc of primaries.
With 70pc of ballot papers counted, the two candidate preferred vote has Mr McBride on 66.4pc of the vote.
Mr Williams, who won the 2014 election in a landslide victory, attributed his strong primary vote to his incumbency.
“Incumbency gives you a distinct advantage, people get comfortable and they know you well,” he said.
“There’s no way Troy Bell would have won Mount Gambier if he had not already done four years.
“I think if Nick does what I think he will do, we’ll see that primary increase at the next election.
“When all the preferences are counted, Nick might end up with close to 80pc of the vote.”
