Richmond candidates respond to surprise poll
WHILE a newly released Roy Morgan Research pre-election poll shows Labor and the Greens neck and neck ahead of the Nationals in Richmond, Sportsbet offers different odds.
The Roy Morgan State of the Nation Report, issued on June 15, revealed the top seven Greens seats in Australia, with Richmond in fifth position.
The poll predicted the ALP would win Richmond with 30.5 points, Greens with 29, LNP with 27, and others with 13.5, as at June, 2016.
Two weeks out from the election, the results represent an 11-point swing to the Greens, who in 2013 held 17.69% of the primary vote.
Last election, Labor incumbent Justine Elliot received 33.51% of the primary vote but won the seat with 52.98%, after preferences.
In response to the recent poll, Mrs Elliot said each election was a challenge.
"I'm out there everyday fighting hard on important local issues like protecting Medicare from Malcolm Turnbull and the Nationals' cruel cuts," she said.
On Saturday, she told the Tweed Daily News Richmond had been won on preferences since 1984.
"The end result is the majority of people still preferred me," Mrs Elliot said.
Sportsbet also has Mrs Elliot tipped to win, paying $1.15. But it has the Nationals positioned second, paying $5 for candidate Matthew Fraser, while Greens' candidate Dawn Walker's odds of winning were much lower, paying in at $11.
In 2013, Mr Fraser received the highest primary vote, securing 37.6% of the vote before preferences.
In response to the polls Mr Fraser said he "did not run his election campaign on polls".
"We run our campaign by following a strong campaign on the ground," Mr Fraser said.
"At the end of the day the only poll that will count will be the one done on July second."
Mrs Walker said the Greens had the "chance to make history in the Northern Rivers".
"The Greens' growing team of volunteers have knocked on over 3000 doors," she said.
"People are unhappy with the old parties and are looking for an alternative."
Richmond Polls
Roy Morgan:
Elliot/ALP: 30.5 points
Walker/Greens: 29 points
Fraser/LNP: 27 points
Others: 13.5 points
Sportsbet:
Elliot/ALP: $1.15
Fraser/LNP: $5.50
Walker/Greens: $11