By STEVE GRAY
MEMBER for Maranoa Bruce Scott swept all 129 polling booths in the September federal election which saw Tony Abbott and the coalition swept to power.
The poll was officially declared on Friday.
It will be Mr Scott’s ninth term as an MP for the seat of Maranoa, one of the largest in Australia, covering 42 per cent of Queensland including the Southern Downs.
Even the distribution of preferences could not see Labor candidate Nick Cedric-Thompson take a booth. The closest Labor came was in the small booth at Eukey, south of Stanthorpe, where the ALP polled 48.09 per cent of the vote after preferences were distributed.
Mr Scott also brushed aside an attempt by a member of the Bjelke-Petersen family to enter parliament. John Bjelke-Petersen, who stood for the Palmer United Party, received under seven per cent of the primary vote.
A former Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Deputy Speaker, Mr Scott thanked voters for their support.
“I’m truly humbled to be re-elected and I will represent all the people of Maranoa, regardless of how they voted,” Mr Scott said.
The Coalition’s health policy will see more trained medical experts working in the bush, he said.
Mr Scott said telecommunications and the rebuilding of the beef industry after the live-export debacle were among other priorities.
