While the final federal election votes are still coming in, Mike Kelly's Liberal opposition has dropped out of the race for the seat of Eden-Monaro leaving him as the last candidate standing and he has been announced as Shadow Assistant Minister for Defence.
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Over 90 per cent of the votes were counted by Monday morning, and Dr Kelly had won 50.81 per cent on a two-candidate preferred basis with a comfortable margin of about 1600 votes.
"I want to congratulate all the candidates who participated in the federal election," he said.
"It's only by having opposing candidates that makes the democracy work and, after all, is what I served for 30 years to protect."
He also thanked all the candidates' volunteers.
"It's very hard work in an electorate of this size and I don't think a lot of people appreciate just how hard it is," he said.
The Liberals' Fiona Kotvojs conceded on Friday, almost two weeks after the federal election was held as she had remained optimistic of a win due to how close the votes were and how the postal votes and pre-polls had favoured her more so than her opposition.
In her announcement, she said she "successfully" argued for freight for Snowy 2.0 to come through Eden Port rather than Port Kembla, but Dr Kelly said this was "rubbish".
"I'd already negotiated that outcome for freight to come through the Port of Eden," he said.
"I've been pursuing that outcome for the past year and a half. That had nothing to do with Fiona in the slightest."
The new Labor leader Anthony Albanese announced his frontbench on Sunday, confirming the returning Member for Eden-Monaro in the shadow assistant minister position.
Dr Kelly said as part of the role he expected to bring his 30 years' experience in the army to contribute to the country's security and he was hoping to be reappointed to the parliamentary joint committee on intelligence and security.
"There's no more federal issue than national security, keeping people safe and protecting civil liberties," he said.
He also welcomed Mr Albanese as the new leader.
"I think what Albo will bring is his unique ability to connect with everyday Australians, on cost of living issues and their desire to make life better for not only themselves, but also their families and their kids," he said.
One of the major issues from the election was franking credits, and Dr Kelly wanted to apologise to anyone who was caused anxiety over the issue.
"People can rest assured we won't be pursuing the policy in that shape going forward," he said.
All of Labor's policies will be reviewed following the election, but Dr Kelly said his party would not be walking away from its climate change and energy policies.
While he said the frankings credits issue did contribute to Labor's loss, he said the spread of "retiree tax" misinformation by opponents was despicable, as it caused "deep confusion in the community".
Albert McKnight
Journalist at Bega District News.
Journalist at Bega District News.
