Mr Gerald Miller (GA 21/9/99) should take cold comfort from the results of the state election in Geelong which show quite clearly that voters do not want his rowing complex. With approximately 80% of the vote counted (source: ABC online 23/9/99):

* ALP candidate, Ian Tresize, who ran a strong community campaign against the complex will probably win the seat of Geelong from a Liberal Party minister.

* In the two local seats contested by the Democrats on a platform against the complex they averaged 5.75% of primaries which is 2.55% higher than the average primaries for Democrats standing outside of Geelong. This is despite discontent with the party over the GST.

* On a two-party preferred basis the predicted 6% swing toward the ALP in South Barwon is 2.13% higher than the predicted average swing in the remaining three local seats. However, none of this can be credited to Michael Crutchfield who had a zero percent swing toward him on primaries.

It is my belief that had the ALP run a candidate in South Barwon who was against the complex, they would have narrowed the margin several more percentage points, and perhaps even won the seat outright. They would also have been able to promote a formal policy position against the complex which may have seen Kerri Erler win office in Bellarine.

The overall result of the state election should send a very clear message to the watersports lobby and to council. People voted for a return of basic services for the entire community rather than for expensive capital works projects which benefit a narrow group.