General News
6 May, 2025
Labor win in a landslide
Australians went to the polls on Saturday and returned an Albanese government for the next three years.
The Liberals were left with a disastrous result and no leader, with Peter Dutton losing his seat of Dickson.
While the overall outcome was disappointing, Member for Mallee, Dr Anne Webster said, “ that while the national federal election results are extremely disappointing, Mallee voters have re-elected The Nationals in a strong rejection of Labor’s appalling treatment of the electorate.
“I am humbled that Mallee has voted for me to represent them for the next three years,” Dr Webster wrote to supporters on Sunday morning.
“I am so grateful for that honour, and for the many of you that supported my campaign – from the bottom of my heart, I thank you.”
“Not only has there been a swing towards The Nationals in Mallee this election, it looks likely that we have won Mallee on first preferences and now hold Mallee with one of the largest margins for a Coalition seat in the nation,” she said.
On the latest counting, The Nationals’ hold on to the seat on a two-party preferred basis had risen over half a per cent to 69.6 per cent, against an apparent nationwide swing of 3.2 per cent to Labor. Mallee was one of only a few seats that had a swing towards the Coalition, instead of swinging to Labor.”
Dr Webster said she would hold Labor accountable for their solitary commitment to Mallee, $4.5 million for the Maryborough Pool, and committed to supporters she would keep fighting for them.
“Labor robs regions to buy votes in regional Australia – they did it in Mallee this election campaign, and I will be vocal in Mallee and in Canberra to ensure Mallee gets its fair share and is not railroaded by Labor’s agenda.”
Dr Webster said the devastating result overall did not show in the polls so the result certainly raised a mix of emotions.
However, she said the positive swing to the Nationals was a positive and her success was a result of taking a stand on issues affecting her electorate of Mallee.
“We are representatives of the people, that’s our title and being on the fence is not an option, we need to take a stand be transparent in what we believe and represent the people,” she said.
Dr Webster said the community can be assured the National will be backing the strong voices in parliament that back out rural and regional people.
She agreed the 2026 November Victorian state election must be a focus for decision surrounding the VNI Wests transmission line, renewables and the energy policy.
“The Allen government has been terrible for our landowners and this treatment needs to be called out.
Saturday’s result is terrible in so many ways for the Mallee/Wimmera region.
“They don’t see the regions, they don’t come here,” she said.
Dr Webster said clearly the Liberals have a lot of work to do but it was a positive outcome for Nationals leader David Littleproud who had a positive swing.
Dr Webster said she was grateful to all who supported her and she appreciated the up swing in her support.
Secretary of Mine Free Wimmera Farms Inc. Russell Heard said, “The rural community has lost out with a Labor return but while it is a disappointing outcome, we need to have our sights on the Victorian state election in November.
“I know the state reps have pressure from above, but they are on the ground and should know what the rural community need and we can just hope they are listening.
“The state election is the big thing for rural Victoria,” he said.
The Greens also have considerable work to do with them struggling to hold on to seats.
The final count and processes will be carried out in the coming days.
has contacted the Greens and Labor candidates for comment.
