Lib disputing 7-vote election loss

A FORMER Victorian upper house MP for the North East has claimed a seat in Federal Parliament but his Liberal opponent wants a recount.

Labor’s Rob Mitchell won the seat of McEwen, which includes Seymour, by seven votes from former tourism and small business minister Fran Bailey.

Mr Mitchell was a Labor member of the Victorian Legislative Council’s Central Highlands region until last year’s state election.

He contested the lower house seat of Benalla at that poll and was defeated by incumbent Nationals member Bill Sykes.

Ms Bailey said she would lodge a formal appeal for a recount today.

The Australian Electoral Commission said it would consider the request.

“Recounts are not an automatic part of the process and nor does the AEC conduct a recount simply because the result is close,” an AEC spokesman said.

“The AEC will consider any request for a recount and in doing that it will consider the grounds on which the request is based.”

The spokesmen said a decision would be made as soon as possible.