WHILE the Vasse by-election winner Libby Mettam will not become the official member for the electorate until next week she said she would not be standing still.
The Vasse by-election was done and dusted on Saturday night with Ms Mettam finishing with 53.45 per cent of the votes after preferences.
Ms Mettam said it was a privilege to be able to serve the electorate and she had big shoes to fill.
“I am aware that I will be measured by the success of my next election in 2017 and that’s why I am in no way complacent about this win and the position that I now hold as the future member for Vasse,” she said.
Nationals candidate Peter Gordon was not far behind with 46.55 per cent of the votes after preferences.
The end was result was a lot different to the 2013 election when Liberal Troy Buswell increased his margin to 42.4 per cent.
Nationals WA leader Terry Redman said he was proud of Mr Gordon and the team for their efforts.
“To go from a primary vote of 7 per cent in 2013 to 28 per cent over the weekend was an incredible achievement and reinforces my belief that the Nationals are a strong force in regional WA,” he said.
Greens candidate Michael Baldock has an 8 per cent swing towards the party.
Mr Baldock said it was a huge achievement for the Greens with their main objective to win voters over.
“In voting before election day we received 13.86 per cent of the primary vote,” he said.
“On election day the vote had increased to 17.9 per cent.
“I wish Libby Mettam well in her new role as a representative for Vasse, alongside the Premier she should be wary that the swing away from the Liberals was substantive and may result in a different outcome in the next election, which is not far off.”
Ms Mettam said the outcome of the Vasse Wonnerup Wetlands report was on the top of her agenda as well as getting an update on the Busselton foreshore project from the City of Busselton.
“Ï understand how much trust the people of Vasse had in the former member Troy Buswell and the great responsibility I have now undertaken,” she said.
“This is not a role I take on lightly, or put my hand up for without knowing that I can make a positive difference and that is my determination.