INDEPENDENT MLC Ruth Forrest had a massive win last weekend in the Upper House elections to retain the seat of Murchison.
It will be her fourth term and her record vote puts her into the history books.
The indications of how big Ms Forrest’s win over her three challengers would be emerged not long after counting got under way.
With postal votes still to be finalised after May 16, Ms Forrest’s Saturday night at the close of counting 71.89% against three other candidates return in Murchison beat the previous record of Peter McKay in 1976 with 66.4% of the vote.
The King Island vote reinforced her standing in the island community with 77.2% of the vote.
The King Island result indi- cates her ongoing, relentless advocacy on behalf of the island in parliament.
It also indicates her understanding of the issues that impact the island as a whole and at the individual level.
“I’m so deeply grateful to the whole electorate, but particularly the people of King Island who have shown me enormous support,” Ms Forrest said.
“I could say over 75 per cent of the vote on King Island gave me number one.
“That is so amazing and so wonderful.
“I really appreciate the support of the island.
“I will continue to serve King Island as I’ve tried to over the last 18 years and even more so, particularly as I get even more familiar with the actual circumstances that continue to emerge on King Island.
“The challenges come up, almost on a regular basis at the moment.
“It is a record-breaking win and I’ m really excited about that.
“But that was across the whole region, not just King Island.”
Ms Forrest received 573 first preference votes out of 742 formal votes (43 informal votes).
She said that face-to-face interaction, supported by technology, in any elector- ate, not only King Island was important.
“[Murchison] is the largest, if not the largest geographic electorate. It does take an effort to get out and about. It’s not cheap.
“As an elected member, you do get funding, you get a vehicle so you can drive, and obviously flying to King Island… you must, you must spend time in the regions.
“You can’t just pop over and come back on the same day and think you’re going to meet enough people to actually really get a sense of what’s hap- pening on the island. You’ ve got to be, available to people.”
During her campaign and meeting with people across the electorate, Ms Forrest said there were common and key issues to those faced by King Island the cost of living, energy prices that impact individuals and families, farming and small businesses and a need for access to housing.
“We know there is a drastic shortage on King Island, not just for people who live there but also for any additional workers.”
Ms Forrest will be sworn in on May 22 and will serve in the Legislative Council for six years.
When Parliament resumes Ms Forrest will be involved in the Budget session and will continue her work with the Public Accounts Committee and chair of other committees.