Newly elected Member for Darling Range Alyssa Hayden has said she is ready to hit the ground running after defeating Labor candidate Tania Lawrence with 53 per cent of votes to her opponent’s 46 per cent in Saturday’s by-election.
Ms Hayden said it was a busy few days after celebrating the win with champagne at the Byford Tavern alongside fellow Liberal members, Opposition leader Mike Nahan and Member for East Metropolitan Region Donna Faragher.
She said it was a relief and honour to win over the faith and trust of the Darling Range community.
“I have got the keys to the office, I am organising staff and getting paperwork sorted so I can get the office running as soon as possible,” she said.
“In the coming weeks I want to hold four community barbeques across the Darling Range electorate to thank everyone and to continue the open dialogue and the grass roots communication across the electorate.”
Ms Hayden said her main goals while in the seat were to keep the McGowan Government accountable and to be actively involved in the progress of the Tonkin Highway extension and the Byford rail link.
“Mr McGowan has got the money and he now needs to put his money where his mouth is and get it done,” she said.
Labor candidate Tania Lawrence met with supporters at the Kelmscott Hall after the vote where she watched the nine per cent swing against her party unfold.
One Nation candidate Rod Caddies polled 7.8 per cent of the primary vote while Greens candidate Anthony Pyle recorded 5.83 per cent and WA Party candidate Russell Goodrick recorded 5.8 per cent.
The Darling Range by-election was called for June 23 following former Member for Darling Range Barry Urban’s resignation, which was delivered at Parliament on May 8.
