Liberal candidate Tim Wilson has successfully reclaimed the Goldstein seat in inner Melbourne, edging out teal independent Zoe Daniel in a closely contested election. While the outcome was still uncertain when polls closed, Wilson announced his victory with pride during a speech in Brighton, showcasing the resilience of his campaign to regain the electorate he lost to Daniel in 2022.
Emotional yet triumphant, Wilson expressed his pride in winning Goldstein back for the Liberal Party, stating, “We’ve been waiting since Saturday night to do that.” Recalling the disappointment of his previous loss, he highlighted how his team had worked tirelessly to rebuild their efforts, despite being initially dismissed by many as having no chance of winning. “Three years ago, people said Goldstein could not be won,” Wilson remarked, conveying his determination to overturn the odds.
As he celebrated his triumph, Wilson indicated that while his name was on the ballot, the victory represented a broader collective effort. He acknowledged the privilege of returning to public service, labelling the outcome as “unbelievable” given his prior defeat to Daniel. The strategy of actively listening and engaging with the community was crucial to his campaign’s success, he noted.
Daniel has not yet officially conceded, leaving some ambiguity regarding the final outcome. She initially celebrated her position on election night, but cautioningly pointed out that the counting of votes was still ongoing. In a turn of events, a significant swing in postal votes has seen Wilson leading with 50.3 per cent compared to Daniel’s 49.7 per cent, based on over 82 per cent of the votes counted.
Wilson mentioned that he was unsure if Daniel had contacted his team amidst his phone buzzing with congratulatory messages. As the dust settles, the implications of this election for both candidates and the Goldstein constituency remain to be fully understood, but for now, the Liberal Party relishes the return of one of their key seats in the inner Melbourne region.