UPDATE:
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
THOMAS George has released his first statement regarding the weekends election after he went to ground after results started trickling in.
Despite analysts tipping Greens candidate Adam Guise for the win Mr George hasn't conceded defeat.
"It's clear the result of this election in Lismore is incredibly close," Mr George said.
"It is important that as the NSW Electoral Commission takes the time to ensure all ballots are properly counted recounted over the next few days, we all respect the job they are doing.
"In all likelihood we may not have a declaration until after the Easter long weekend.
"Whatever the outcome, I will accept the decision of the people of the Lismore electorate," he said.
Mr George and his office are still not taking phone calls.
EARLIER:
GREENS candidate Adam Guise is looking likely to win the Lismore electorate with incumbent Thomas George falling off the radar since Saturday’s shock.
Right now Guise leads with 50.1 per cent of the vote to Thomas George’s 49.9 per cent after preferences - a swing of 24.9 per cent.
Mr Guise could make political history as the first Greens politician to grasp the conservative seat.
He’d also hoped to be the first Greens candidate to unseat a Nationals incumbent – something never achieved until Saturday.
Ballina’s Greens contender Tamara Smith beat Guise to that honour with victory over Nationals candidate Kris Beavis who took over from the retiring Don Page.
Voters in Tenterfield threw their support behind George with 700 votes to Mr Guise’ 155 at last count.
Labor candidate Isaac Smith received 270 while Christian Democrat Gianpiero Battista reached only 60 votes despite numerous campaign trips to Tenterfield.
Mr George picked up the most votes in Urbenville, Tabulam, Liston, Legume and Deepwater.
Drake was the only booth in the Tenterfield Shire that Thomas George wasn’t favoured – losing to Guise.
“It’s the complete unknown and it appears to be changing from moment to moment – we’re in tricky territory now,” Mr Guise said on Monday.
“It could be a week before we know anything.”
Whatever the outcome Mr Guise said he couldn’t be happier with how voters have responded.
“I’m blown away by the level of support – humbled and really appreciative.
“It shows that there has been a failure by the Nationals to stand up for regional NSW,” he said.
Lismore is one of only four seats in NSW yet to be declared with most election analysts expecting a Greens win for Lismore.
Various media outlets have declared Mr Guise the winner but ABC election analyst Antony Green said it is still up in the air, though he expected the Greens to nab the seat.
“In Lismore the first preferences leave the Nationals with some hope,” Mr Green said on Sunday.
“The National first preference vote was 39.9 per cent to the Greens 29.4 per cent and Labor 25.4 per cent.
“The Greens need stronger preference flows to win Lismore and my estimated preferences currently have the Greens just in front.
“The result is too close to call - especially given I am relying on preference estimates.
“Lismore has around 11,500 pre-polls yet to be counted and 2,671 iVotes. That is a lot of votes yet to be counted.”
Mr George has backed away from the limelight with his office not taking calls and Mr George himself not returning phone calls or emails.
The MP appeared to hurriedly leave his election celebrations in Lismore on Saturday and parted with a message of “we’ll wait and see”.
Deputy leader of the Nationals and New England MP Barnaby Joyce voiced a similar sentiment.
“I’ll make a decision about what the final position is on Lismore once the postal votes are counted.”
We’ll keep you updated on a local result as more comes to light.