Bittersweet victory

IT WAS a case of mixed emotions for newly elected Member for Barker Tony Pasin in the wake of the weekend’s Federal Election.

The passionate local member was humbled to be returned to the role he has held since 2013 but also a little shell shocked by the extent of the Coalition’s ballot box defeat.

“Locally it was a humbling result,” Mr Pasin said. “In what has been described as a nationwide blood bath, I had a three per cent, two party preferred swing against me in what now looks like a very good result in the circumstances.

“That being said, I feel desperately for some of my good friends who I know are good MPs and care about their community, including Peter (Dutton), who I feel for in particular.

“The result wasn’t a shock but the extent of the defeat nationally, particularly in Victoria and Queensland – we didn’t see that coming at all and neither did the people in those jurisdiction.

“We will certainly spend some time reflecting on the result and seeking to diagnose reasons why.”

Mr Pasin thanked the close to 400 volunteers that worked the polling booths across his electorate and was disappointed that promised funding to projects including the Mount Gambier & Districts Saleyards and Mount Burr Netball Club in the wake of a Coalition victory would now not eventuate.

And while he is ready to roll up his sleeves for another term working for his constituents, he is already and will continue to be immersed in the analysis of the defeat and the way forward for the battered and bruised Liberal Party.

He identified a poor campaign performance, policy offerings, perhaps releasing policy details too late as all part of the investigation with installing a new Leader of the Opposition this first order of business.

“I also hope to serve in the leadership team,” Mr Pasin said. “I have served in the Shadow Ministry and I hope to be given an opportunity in the Shadow Cabinet.

“We need to become an effective and strong opposition. We can only have good government if we have an effective and strong opposition and if we want to achieve what we want for this nation, we need to have a good government. Right now we need to focus on that – that’s the best way we can serve our nation.”

Mr Pasin does believe that politicians more broadly need to be more authentic in the public domain.

“We need to reflect if we are too polyester,” he said. “We are told how to act, how to behave, what we should say and Australians just want us to be genuine, to be ourselves.”