Vic: Labor candidate not claiming McEwen win yet

AAP General News (Australia)
12-10-2007
Vic: Labor candidate not claiming McEwen win yet

MELBOURNE, Dec 10 AAP - Labor candidate Rob Mitchell says he is not prepared to claim
victory in the Victorian federal seat of McEwen, despite counting showing he has won by
a tiny seven-vote margin.

The result was finalised at the weekend and is the second closest in a federal election
in Australian history.

Former tourism and small business minister Fran Bailey, who has held McEwen since 1996,
will request a recount.

"I won't claim it until I get the phone call from the AEC (Australian Electoral Commission)
saying they've declared it," Mr Mitchell said.

The AEC said it would consider the request, but a spokesman said re-counts did not
automatically follow just because a result was close.

AAP gr/gfr/sp

KEYWORD: POLL07 MCEWEN

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