BEN Morton has promised to be relentless in his push for Roe 8 after retaining the seat of Tangney in Saturday’s Federal Election.
With almost 75 per cent of votes counted as of yesterday, Mr Morton had 61.44 per cent of the two-party preferred vote ahead of Labor candidate Marion Boswell with 38.56 per cent.
The figures almost replicate the 2016 poll when Mr Morton had 61.1 per cent and Ms Boswell had 38.9 per cent of the vote.
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Mr Morton said he would be “relentless” in his campaign for Roe 8 and Roe 9, with the Federal Government retaining $1.2 billion of contingency funding for the project if the State Government wants it.
“I will make this an issue at the next State Election,” he said.
“I’m very pleased with the result; when you look at the primary vote, there was a swing towards me and the Liberal Party and I’m proud of that.
“I think it’s a reflection of the hard work I’ve done in the community and the way I’ve been accessible through my mobile office, along with issues like the Willetton Basketball Stadium.”
Mr Morton said he believed the Liberal Party’s victory in the Federal Election was a win for “quiet Australians”.
“We were talking directly to Australians and their interests,” he said.
Mr Morton spent most of the six-week campaign period travelling the country side-by-side with Prime Minister Scott Morrison as a key strategist.
The local member said it was up to his party leader to determine his next role in the government.
“I’m in my late 30s and I’ve been in Parliament for three years,” he said when quizzed about a possible Cabinet tilt.
“I’m happy with my job but it’s a matter for the Prime Minister.”
Labor’s Josh Wilson retained his seat in the electorate of Fremantle, which some parts of Palmyra and Kardinya fall into.
The ALP candidate had received 58.13 per cent of the two-party preferred vote, with 74 per cent of the votes counted by Monday afternoon. Mr Wilson said he was grateful to be trusted with responsibility for the Fremantle electorate.