Staley holds Ripon by 15 votes

A DECISION for the state electoral district of Ripon has finally come down and it favours Liberal incumbent Louise Staley by 15 votes.

The result came after two weeks of counting that saw Ms Staley and ALP challenger Sarah De Santis swap leads several times before a final recount of preferences was conducted on the weekend.

That tally showed that Ms Staley was in front by 15 votes and she was subsequently declared the winner by the Victorian Electoral Commission in Stawell on Monday.

“Words do not adequately express my gratitude for this great honour. I know there is much to do in Ripon and across Victoria,” Ms Staley said.

“I do not shirk from the challenge of making sure the needs and concerns of the people of Ripon are heard in Spring Street.

“I am honoured to again be given the opportunity to represent the residents of Ripon and I will ensure that I continue to be their voice in Spring Street.”

Ms Staley also acknowledged her ALP challenger and expressed empathy for her situation.

“For Ms De Santis personally, the result cannot be what she hoped and worked for and I know the last two weeks of counting must have been as excruciating for her as they have been for me,” Ms Staley said.

Following the declaration, Ms Staley also addressed the resounding ALP win on 24 November and how her party might win back voters who abandoned the Liberals, but not Ms Staley herself.

“We must be progressive and forward-looking in our vision and policies for Victoria,” she said.

“We must develop and present practical solutions to the issues that matter to Victorians.

“We must attract and preselect more women and more Victorians from our many multicultural communities.”

Despite aggressive campaigning by both parties, Labor was unable to achieve the same two-party preferred statewide swing of just under five per cent in Ripon.

Already a hyper marginal seat, the final two-party preferred split ended up 0.7 per cent in favour of Ms Staley, with her first preference votes growing by just over six per cent from the 2014 election.

With just 15 votes in it, there have been some media reports that Labor may take the result to the Supreme Court which would sit as the Court of Disputed Returns, although such a move is unconfirmed at this time.

Any action would need to be taken within 40 days of the declaration of the seat and would need to come from either Ms De Santis herself or an elector enrolled in Ripon.