Federal election 2022: Curtin: Liberal Celia Hammond concedes defeat to teal independent Kate Chaney

Celia Hammond has conceded defeat to teal independent Kate Chaney in Curtin, saying it had been a “privilege and honour” to represent the electorate.

In a statement to The West Australian on Thursday afternoon, Ms Hammond congratulated Ms Chaney on becoming the seat’s sixth MP.

“As further counting has been undertaken by the AEC over recent days, it has become clear that Ms Kate Chaney will become the sixth person to be elected to represent the division of Curtin in the Federal Parliament,” she said.

“I congratulate Kate on her election, and sincerely wish her all the best as she takes on the responsibility and privilege of representing the people who live in this most beautiful part of Australia.”

Ms Hammond was vice-chancellor of the University of Notre Dame in Fremantle before she was approached to succeed former foreign minister Julie Bishop as the Liberal candidate in Curtin at the 2019 election.

Her concession confirms the Climate 200-backed teal independents, who campaigned on climate change and an integrity commission, have won six inner city seats in traditional Liberal territory.

As of 3pm Thursday, Ms Chaney leads 50.9 per cent to 49.1 per cent on a two-party preferred basis.

Ms Hammond secured 42.3 per cent of the primary vote, but suffered a swing away of 11.7 percentage points.

Ms Chaney received 30 per cent of primary support and benefited from preferences that flowed from the Labor and Greens candidates.

“It has been a privilege and honour to have served for the last 3 years as the representative for the people of Curtin in the Federal Parliament,” Ms Hammond added.

“I thank the Liberal Party of WA for their endorsement in 2019, and the people of Curtin who elected me in 2019.

“It has been an enormous privilege to meet so many people within the electorate – to work with them, to listen to them, to discuss issues and to assist them.

“I want to note that my office has had the most wonderful staff over the last three years – for whom ‘going the extra mile’ for a constituent was never questioned. Thank you to all of you.

“I offer my limitless gratitude and thanks to the hundreds of volunteers and supporters who helped out (in so many different ways) during the campaign. Your support and encouragement made even the most difficult days and moments easier and brighter.

“Finally, to the people of Curtin – thank you. We truly do live in the best part of the world and we do have vibrant and wonderful communities within our boundaries. I thank you all for the privilege of being able to serve and represent over the last three years.”

Curtin, which covers Perth’s western suburbs and north to Innaloo, Scarborough and Trigg, has been in Liberal hands since 1949, with the exception of 1996 when Allan Rocher re-contested as an Independent.