Council
9 May, 2025
Tehan retains seat of Wannon
LIBERAL Dan Tehan retained the seat of Wannon at the 2025 Federal Election over the weekend, despite what proved to be a disastrous election for his party.
Mr Tehan, who has held the seat since 2010, earned a comfortable victory at 53.58 per cent in the two-candidate preferred against challenger Alex Dyson at 46.42 per cent.
The result is a slight positive swing to the incumbent leader despite months of optimism from Mr Dyson’s campaign, which itself saw a 13.32 per cent positive swing.
The results suggest Mr Dyson had been unable to chip away at Mr Tehan’s traditional base, with the independent’s positive swing seemingly coming at the expense of Green and Labor voters who experienced swings against of 3.89 and 9.50 per cent, respectively.
In a similar result to the 2022 federal election, Mr Tehan’s support was at its strongest in the more rural communities of the electorate.
Mr Tehan held a sizable advantage on first preference votes in Panmure, Ecklin South, Terang, Noorat, Mortlake, Cobden, Simpson, Scott’s Creek, Timboon, Camperdown, Lismore and Derrinallum – despite some minor swings against in these communities.
Speaking after the result was declared, Mr Tehan said he was incredibly humbled to once again have the opportunity to represent the people of Wannon.
“It’s a great responsibly,” he said.
“I am obviously very thankful to the voters of Wannon for again giving me the opportunity to be their representative in parliament.
“I commit to them that I will again work as hard as I possibly can to repay the faith put in me.”
The role will be a complicated one for Mr Tehan after the Anthony Albanese-led Labor Party formed a majority government, but Mr Tehan said he was familiar with serving in opposition.
“I will take the approach of working with the community, to listen to and care for their concerns, and deliver for them that way,” he said.
“Over the last three years in opposition we have got $150 million for the Portland rail line, we successfully opposed the divisive Voice to Parliament and we were still able to get money for local community projects.”
The election proved a bitter blow for Mr Dyson, who has been the primary challenger in pushing Wannon from a safe to a marginal seat over the previous three election cycles – and, at various points, appeared to be surging to a historic victory.
In a statement following the election, Mr Dyson said he was proud of what his campaign was able to achieve after seeing a positive swing despite ultimately falling short.
“Following the election in Wannon, I have reflected on the campaign and have nothing but pride in the community grassroots movement despite the loss,” he said.
“We achieved a 13 per cent swing in first preference votes – a huge result with prepoll and postal votes still to come,” he said.
“I’m incredibly proud of the thousands of volunteers and supporters who powered this community-led campaign,” he said.
“Over several months, 2000 supporters and 1000 volunteers knocked on 20,000 doors, ran fundraising events, and brought energy and positivity to politics in Wannon.
“Despite facing a fiercely negative campaign, we stayed true to our values, delivering a positive message and proving the strength of grassroots democracy. “
Mr Dyson said his campaign had been successful in putting the spotlight on Wannon, in the hopes tighter races would equal greater commitments as candidates vie for support, but signalled he was unlikely to run again.
“We may not have won, but we reduced the margin and made real change in the local political landscape,” he said.
“As to the question about whether or not I will run again, it’s too early to make a decision on that.
“I loved being part of a community-led movement and I love talking to the community but I’m also someone who can take a hint.
“Whether I am the candidate next time, or it’s someone else, the amazing community-led movement we have built will definitely be here ready to go.”
Mr Dyson said whether he is the candidate or not, it was clear the independent movement had struck a chord with voters in the region.
“This campaign has transformed politics in Wannon forever,” he said.
“We forced the incumbent to engage locally and make promises he’ll now be held accountable for.
“The momentum is real, and we’re not going anywhere.
“Your vote mattered — and it showed. The energy in the room on Saturday (election) night was undeniable.
“We’re going to keep turning up and keep talking to people and keep the momentum going.”
Despite Mr Tehan’s success, the election proved one of the most difficult for the Coalition in Australian history.
The Anthony Albanese-led Labor Party has formed a majority government with at least 82 seats secured, building on an already dominant 77 seats in the previous election.
Meanwhile, the Coalition dropped from 58 seats down to 38, with party leader Peter Dutton being among those to lose their re-election campaign.
Mr Tehan has been speculated to be among those shortlisted for Coalition leadership as the party desperately seeks to regain relevance.
