The new ALP member for Corangamite, Elizabeth (Libby) Coker, has delivered her first speech to the House of Representatives.

There were twenty-seven new members of the House elected at the May 18 federal election. Coker is the last to deliver her maiden speech. She is the last of nine new ALP members.

A former teacher and journalist, Coker was a councillor on the Surf Coast Shire Council, having been elected in 2008 and serving as mayor in 2009-10 and 2012-13.

Coker unsuccessfully contested Corangamite at the 2016 election. At this year’s election, she defeated the Liberal Party’s Sarah Henderson, who held the seat for two terms from 2013. Henderson is about to be appointed to fill a casual Senate vacancy.

Coker secured a 1.04% swing, winning Corangamite with 51.07% of the two-party-preferred vote. She polled 35.47% of the primary vote, an increase of 1.41%. The Liberal Party polled 42.33% of the primary vote, a decrease of 1.34%.

Corangamite, a Federation seat established in 1901, is in the south-west of Victoria. It extends from the suburbs of Geelong, through Queenscliff and Colac, and through the towns along the Great Ocean Road.

Listen to Coker’s speech (31m):

Watch Coker (31m):

Hansard transcript of maiden speech by Libby Coker, ALP member for Corangamite.

The SPEAKER (17:18): Before I call the honourable member for Corangamite, I remind the House that this is the honourable member’s first speech. I ask the House to extend to her the usual courtesies. [Read more…]