October 19, 2014, 1:53 am
The WA Liberals have declared victory in former treasurer Troy Buswell's recently-vacated seat of Vasse, despite a swing against the party.
With just over 81 per cent of the by-election's vote counted, Liberal candidate Libby Mettam has secured 53.4 per cent in the two-candidate preferred vote, putting her on track to retain the seat for the party.
But Nationals' candidate Peter Gordon has secured 46.5 per cent, indicating a swing to the party in the South West seat.
The results can be found on the ABC elections page.
Ms Mettam was the frontrunner in the safe Liberal seat, vacated after the resignation of the hugely popular but troubled Mr Buswell last month.
The Liberals won the seat with a 21.2 per cent margin in 2013.
Mr Buswell attracted 57 per cent of the primary vote at the last election.
Ms Mettam said the result had come as a "relief".
"For any new member that has come into Vasse for the first time, the people of Vasse have always made them work for it, and they certainly have done that on this occasion," she said.
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Liberals declare victory in South West seat of Vasse, but suffer swing against