LIBERAL KERRYNNE LIDDLE ELECTED AS FIRST INDIGENOUS SENATOR FROM SOUTH AUSTRALIA
0Liberal Kerrynne Liddle elected as first Indigenous senator from South Australia
Liberal Kerrynne Liddle has claimed the sixth spot up for grabs in the election for Senate in South Australia. becoming the first Indigenous senator from the state. Ms Liddle will also be the first female Indigenous parliamentarian at state or federal level from South Australia. 'It will be an immense responsibility and an honour to represent the people of South Australia.' Ms Liddle told ABC News. She said she wanted to focus on the cost of living crisis currently facing South Australians. as well as ensuring young people were educated and had access to good information. Ms Liddle said being Indigenous was part of 'her identity'. but added there 'are so many other things that are important to me'. 'I've got two university degrees. I've got two professional qualifications. I've contributed across a range of sectors. so for me. I will be a senator for all South Australians.' she said. 'I will be interested in Indigenous issues. and I will be equally interested in issues for business. for young people. for parents.' The Australian Electoral Commission officially announced South Australia's six new senators this afternoon. following last month's election. The Liberals have also won another two senate seats. while Labor has picked up two and the Greens one. The number of seats per party is the same as won at the 2019 federal election. Simon Birmingham and Andrew McLachlan has been re elected for the Liberals. while Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong and Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell have won back their spots for Labor. Barbara Pocock will join Sarah Hanson Young in the Senate for the Greens — the first time since 2016 that the party has had two senators from South Australia. The senators have been elected for a six year term and will join the other six South Australian senators already serving in Canberra. Former Nick Xenophon Team senators Rex Patrick and Stirling Griff have lost their seats. Wide range of experience Ms Liddle is an Arrente woman who grew up in Alice Springs. The Liberal Party's website describes her as a former business owner and senior leader in the private and public sectors. Her sister is the 2022 NT Australian of the Year and was the first female Indigenous police officer in South Australia. On Twitter. Senator Birmingham said Ms Liddle would bring experience in tourism. arts. energy. social housing and Indigenous affairs to her new role as senator. He said her election also meant that. for the first time since 2008. the Liberals would hold half of the state's Senate seats. One Nation received the most votes after the Liberal Party. Labor. the Greens and unaligned candidates that included former senators Nick Xenophon and Bob Day. Mr Xenophon congratulated Ms Liddle in a video posted on social media in which he added his thoughts about why he was not successful. 'Not having my name above the line was really I think the biggest factor.' he said. Posted 4h ago. updated 2h ago
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