Fed: Bailey seeks recount after seven-vote loss

AAP General News (Australia)
12-09-2007
Fed: Bailey seeks recount after seven-vote loss

CANBERRA, Dec 9 AAP - Former tourism and small business minister Fran Bailey will request
a recount after losing the federal electorate of McEwen by seven votes.

Labor candidate Rob Mitchell had won the two-party preferred vote in the Victorian
seat with a swing to the ALP of 6.42 per cent when the count was finalised late yesterday.

"I can confirm that the formal count for McEwen has concluded at a local level and
has recorded me seven votes behind the Australian Labor Party," Ms Bailey said today in
a statement.

"I will lodge a formal appeal for a recount on Monday."

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) said it would consider the request and base
its decision on the reasons given.

"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.

Ms Bailey had held McEwen since 1996.

AAP pw/cjh/jlw

KEYWORD: POLL07 MCEWEN

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