After months of campaigning, Labor candidate Fiona Phillips has again secured the battleground seat of Gilmore, defeating key liberal challenger Andrew Constance.
The rural electorate of Gilmore spans the Kiama and Shoalhaven council areas, as well as parts of the Eurobodalla Shire and has proven to be one of the most closely watched and fiercely contested electorates in this year’s election, with both major parties fighting for control.
Ms Phillips received 55.08 per cent of the two-candidate preferred vote in this year’s election, holding the seat for Labor in what was considered one of the party’s most at-risk electorates. Her victory marks an increase in margin from the 2022 election, where she narrowly prevailed over Mr Constance by just 373 votes. Mr Constance, a former state MP, recorded a decline in first-preference support, down 7.4 per cent from the previous election.
Ms Phillips said in her last media release before the election that her community had a clear choice to make.
“Labor’s plan for better health care, more tax cuts, and to help young people buy their first house, or Peter Dutton’s plan for massive cuts to services so he can pay for his $600 billion plan to build nuclear reactors,” she said.
Experts from the University of Sydney have identified key issues that may have influenced voters in this election, such as the rising cost of living, affordable housing, migration, energy, childcare, and women’s health.
A separate report by Monash University highlighted that, while housing affordability is a common concern, young voters also prioritise issues like employment and financial stability, climate change, inequality, discrimination, and health.
For the first time, young voters (Gen z and Millennials) formed the dominant voting bloc in a federal election, outnumbering baby boomers at the polls.
Young voter from Gilmore Brigitte Sharpe said she prioritised finances and her student debt when voting this year.
“I think the cost of living was at the forefront of everyone’s mind this election for Gilmore,” Ms Sharpe said.
“One of the issues most important to me was reducing my HECs especially after starting a postgrad master’s degree this year, also cost of living and rental assistance as I’m wanting to move out of home.”
Voter Information 2025 by Anna Wright
Notably, this year’s results also reflected a growing level of support among voters for independent and teal candidates, with Climate 200-backed businesswoman Kate Dezarnaulds securing 7,622 first-preference votes in Gilmore, an increase of 7.8 per cent compared to independent candidate results in the 2022 election.
This swing towards teal and independent candidates in Gilmore reflects a broader national trend seen in many electorates across the country.
For more information on the Federal Election results visit the Australian Electoral Commission website.
Additional reporting by Finlay Smart.
