A former Australian tennis star is certainly one of many new MPs heading into Victorian parliament.
Sam Groth, who’s a former world quantity 53 male tennis participant and holds the file for the world’s quickest serve, was elected within the seat of Nepean on the Mornington Peninsula on Saturday.
The 35-year-old father of younger twin boys was a Liberal candidate and mentioned he needed to enter politics to “make a difference”.
“I didn’t want to use my profile to moan and complain about the things not being done in this state,” he informed Channel 9, the place he’s a tennis commentator, on Saturday night time earlier than the seat was referred to as.
“I wanted to put my hand up to try and drive change in this state but also try to drive change in this party.”
He continued, “I’m 35 years of age, I was a professional athlete, I worked in the media, and I’m hopeful that if I can get over the line tonight that I can actually encourage candidates from different walks of life to put themselves forward and we can really start to move forward as a party and make ourselves, if not tonight, a viable form of government in this state in the future.”
Less than three hours after counting began on Saturday night time, the race was referred to as for Labor. The win will make Daniel Andrews the state’s longest-serving Labor Premier.
Groth ousted incumbent Labor MP Chris Brayne. The Liberals held the seat of Nepean between 2002 and 2018, however misplaced it to Labor on the final election.
Groth moved to Blairgowrie along with his spouse Brittany in 2020.
At Groth’s election occasion on Saturday night time there was champagne, oysters and tennis balls along with his marketing campaign slogan #READYTOSERVE.
When the Channel 9 election protection panel joked in regards to the lavish occasion in Sorrento, Groth mentioned the volunteers had “put in a lot of work” for him.
“I certainly wasn’t expecting them to call this so early in the night so I am very happy. I haven’t had a chance to have a beer yet,” Groth mentioned in his victory speech, in accordance with the ABC.
Minutes after his victory speech, news filtered by means of that the election had been referred to as for Labor, ABC reporter Kristian Silva tweeted from the occasion.
“A joyous mood turned subdued,” he wrote.
Groth revealed in December final yr he revealed he had been approached by the Liberal Party.
“Yes, I have been approached. I’m undecided and I’m weighing up my options,” he informed Herald Sun on the time.
“Like many Victorians, I think it’s time for a change in government.”
