Labor's Lisa Chesters retains Bendigo despite swing towards Nationals' Andrew LethleanBy Daniel Miles and Shannon SchubertABC Central VictoriaTopic:Australian Federal Elections1h ago1 hours agoFri 9 May 2025 at 2:32amLisa Chesters has retained the seat of Bendigo despite strong opposition from Nationals candidate Andrew Lethlean. (Supplied)In short:The ABC has called the seat of Bendigo for Labor's Lisa Chesters.She retains the seat from Nationals candidate Andrew Lethlean despite the largest swing away from Labor in any seat called by the ABC.What's next?Counting continues in a handful of other seats in Australia that have yet to be called, including Bean in the ACT, which is also recording a big swing away from Labor.abc.net.au/news/bendigo-election-lisa-chesters-andrew-lethlean-federal-called/105272282Link copiedShareShare articleLisa Chesters has retained the regional Victorian seat of Bendigo for the Labor Party.The ABC is projecting Ms Chesters will hold the seat for a fifth term despite a significant swing towards Nationals candidate Andrew Lethlean.The central Victorian seat, in Labor's hands since 1998, has been on a knife's edge since the Albanese government's landslide victory on Saturday night.ABC election analyst Antony Green said vote counting had finally made it clear Labor had retained the seat. "After preferences, there is a swing of 10 per cent against Labor — the largest in the country," Mr Green said. Bendigo has recorded the biggest swing against Labor in any seat called by the ABC.Ms Chesters polled 33.9 per cent of the primary vote to Mr Lethlean's 30.4 per cent, with Liberal candidate Matt Evans on 10.2 per cent.Ms Chesters held the seat by an 11.2 per cent margin leading into the election.Federal politics live updates: Get the latest on the post-election election landscapeLive results: Find out what's happening in your seat as counting continuesLive vote counts have swung wildly between the two candidates since polls closed.A handful of seats nationwide remain in play, including the eastern Victorian electorate of Monash, and Bean in the ACT, which also has recorded a significant swing away from Labor.Bucking the trendThe swing away from Labor in Bendigo defied the national trend.A pre-election boundary redistribution trimmed Labor's notional margin from 12 to 11.2 per cent, making the seat slightly more Nationals-friendly.Despite encompassing Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan's state electorate and long being considered a safe Labor seat, Bendigo hung in the balance due to a rebounding Nationals vote.Ms Chesters was first elected in 2013, taking over from Steve Gibbons. (ABC Central Victoria: Shannon Schubert)Much of that momentum was credited to first-time candidate and local publican Andrew Lethlean, whose team's spending power and high visibility struck a chord with voters.Residents told the ABC the Nationals candidate had been "everywhere", in contrast to Ms Chesters.Election fallout and analysis:How Peter Dutton's campaign flew off a cliffWhat happened to the Greens vote in Victoria?ANALYSIS: The Coalition is split on nuclear after election lossWant even more? Here's where you can find all our 2025 federal election coverageCatch the latest interviews and in-depth coverage on ABC iview and ABC ListenPrime Minister Anthony Albanese did not visit the seat during the campaign. But it was not all clear sailing for Mr Lethlean.His management of a Bendigo pub was publicly scrutinised, and Nationals leader David Littleproud's decision to liken Ms Chesters' political pull to that of a chihuahua also raised eyebrows. Analysts blindsidedThe result in Bendigo shocked political analysts who had predicted Labor would easily retain the seat. Deakin University senior politics lecturer Geoff Robinson said the huge swing was "very unusual"."Statistically, something really unusual is going to happen once or twice in an election," he said."I think there is something really unusual happening in Bendigo."Mr Robinson said it also highlighted growing support for the Nationals in regional Victoria. "It has a fairly positive brand at times, compared to the Liberals," he said.Nationals candidate Mr Lethlean on the campaign trail. (ABC News: Shannon Schubert)Ms Chesters criticised the campaign as "nasty" and funded by a "tidal wave" of money. But Mr Robinson argued money alone did not win seats."I don't think it makes an enormous amount of difference ... you really can't be complacent anywhere," he said. ABC Central Vic —local news in your inboxGet our local newsletter, delivered free each TuesdayYour information is being handled in accordance with the ABC Privacy Collection Statement.Email addressSubscribePosted 1h ago1 hours agoFri 9 May 2025 at 2:32am, updated 1h ago1 hours agoFri 9 May 2025 at 3:18amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesTaylor confirms Liberal leadership showdown with Ley, PM urges unity in caucusLIVEPhoto shows Angus Taylor press conferenceAustralia's political conclave theatrics feel blokey, but the future is femaleAAnalysis by Annabel CrabbPhoto shows Sussan LeyErin Patterson took son on hours-long drive despite feeling sick, murder trial hears — as it happenedTopic:Law, Crime and JusticePhoto shows A digital drawing of Erin Patterson wearing a pink shirtChina criticises Australia over joint exercises in South China SeaTopic:Defence and National SecurityPhoto shows A Philippine Navy AW159 helicopter with the the HMAS Sydney in the background. 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