Jameson concedes defeat

Liberal candidate for Robertson Mr Darren Jameson has conceded defeat after Labor candidate Ms Deborah O'Neill was officially declared as the new Member for Robertson.

Mr Jameson thanked his supporters and wished Ms O'Neill well on her election as the new Federal MP.

Mr Jameson scored the highest number of first preferential votes, 37,150, while Ms O'Neill had 33,936 votes.

However, the margin was not enough to win the seat on a two-party preferred basis with a 0.93 per cent swing towards Labor.

"I am extremely pleased and humbled to have received the highest number of first primary votes," Mr Jameson said.

"I believe this result indicates that the people respected the honest campaign we ran and the promises we made.

"However, with the preference deal with the Greens, Labor has managed to get across the line."

Mr Jameson said he would continue "my long record of working for the Central Coast community and will be fighting to deliver the promises I made to the electorate during the election campaign".

He said: "These commitments were not made lightly but were in response to the many representations I received either by doorknocking or through other responses from the community."

Mr Jameson said this included his $2.7 million pledge to reopen the rehabilitation unit at Woy Woy Hospital "so that our frail elderly in particular can receive the treatment they require close to home, their families and friends".

Press release, 2 Aug 2010 Darren Jameson, Liberal Party