Southwick retains but Burns still smiling
A TOXIC federal brand, a mid-term change of leadership and a well-run Labor campaign have translated to pain for the Victorian Coalition at the recent state election.
Denis Napthine was swept from power by incoming premier Daniel Andrews, as the Liberal/National government became the first in 60 years not to win a second term.
In Caulfield, the electorate that boasts nearly half of the state’s Jewish voters, it was a bittersweet win for Liberal incumbent David Southwick, who was returned, albeit with a greatly reduced margin.
At the time of printing, there were still a chunk of early and postal votes to be counted, the majority of which will likely favour Southwick, but the numbers aren’t flattering. Prior to the 2010 redistribution, Southwick held a near 12 per cent advantage, but after the dust settles in Caulfield that margin could be cut to around seven per cent following redistributions.
The swing away from Southwick was 3.8 per cent with 53.9 per cent of the first preference vote as opposed to 57.7 in 2010 when he won office. This is of particular concern, especially considering the state-wide swing against the Coalition stands at around one per cent.
The news was worse for Southwick’s parliamentary colleagues in the neighbouring electorates of Bentleigh and Prahran, however with respective incumbents Elizabeth Miller and Clem Newton-Brown likely to lose their seats.
“I am greatly humbled to be re-elected as the State Member for Caulfield, and I thank the Jewish community for their support and confidence in me,” Southwick told The AJN.
“Unfortunately it seems Labor’s misleading campaign on TAFEs, paramedics and perceptions of the federal government, has resulted in a state-wide swing and loss of
“Regrettably, the Jewish Community has lost good friends from the Victorian Coalition who always stood up for our community and Israel.”
Despite not winning the seat, there was cause for celebration for Labor candidate Josh Burns, who attracted a 6 per cent swing before preferences, eclipsing the state-wide average of 1.8. Not satisfied with his extraordinary performance at the polls, Burns proposed to long-time girlfriend Zoe Klein, making it a night to remember for more than one reason.
The win is a boon for Beth Weizmann, to which Labor promised $500,000 for an upgrade to its facilities, as well as Jewish schools which will have access to a $600,000 fund for security upgrades under the new government.
“We worked very hard to listen to the needs of the Jewish community as well as the wider Caulfield community,” Burns said.
“Our plan that included support for Jewish schools and security funding for Beth Weizmann was reflected in a significant swing towards Labor in Caulfield.”
Paying tribute to the outgoing premier, Jewish Community Council of Victoria president Jennifer Huppert said she had high hopes for the new government.
“We’ve had a very successful working relationship with Denis Napthine and generally with the Liberal government since their election in 2010 and we are
looking forward to working with Daniel Andrews and his new team,” she said.
ADAM KAMIEN
David Southwick (centre) and Josh Burns.
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