Labor’s Kristy McBain is a newly appointed member of the federal division of Eden-Monaro in the House of Representatives.
On 05 July 2020, she claimed victory in the Eden-Monaro by-election, held on 04 July, over the Liberal candidate, Fiona Kotvojs, with an indicative two-party-preferred vote, 50.87% to 49.13%. She became the first woman to win the seat since its establishment in 1901.
I’m pleased and honoured to be elected the next Member for Eden-Monaro.
— Kristy McBain MP, Member for Eden Monaro (@KristyMcBain) July 5, 2020
To the people of Eden-Monaro – thank you.
I won’t let you down. pic.twitter.com/tTpIZguggB
The by-election was triggered after incumbent Labor MP Mike Kelly resigned on 30 April 2020, citing ill health. The poll was the first by-election of the 46th Parliament of Australia.
Ms. McBain’s victory was built on her standing as a former mayor in the Bega Valley Shire. She was appointed Mayor in September 2016 and resigned in March 2020 to compete in the Eden-Monaro by-election for the Labor Party. She was first elected to the shire’s chamber in 2012.
On 04 July, during McBain’s election night event in Merimbula, she took her time to thank the people of Eden-Monaro for supporting her in her campaign. She said:
“To all those people in Eden-Monaro, all the people struggling, to small businesses, tourism and hospitality providers, forestry workers, our farmers, those people that have been impacted by this fire, thank you for allowing us to share your stories and shine a spotlight on what matters most, and that is people.”
The lawyer-turned politician also thanked her beloved husband, Brad, and their three children – two sons Jack and Max, and a daughter – for their sacrifices and support to allow her to run for the seat. She told:
“I have always had the very best of support and my husband. When I decided I would put my hand up to run for local council, I was on maternity leave. He said to me, there will never be a right time, but you have to do this now, to stand up for the people we know and love.”
Ms. McBain is also an experienced lawyer, previously served as Senior Associate in Clark Rideaux Lawyers and David Griffith Lawyers. In 2009-10, she also worked as an Associate for Symons Phillips Lawyers. She was a Lawyer for Elringtons for three years from 2005 to 2009.
Ms. McBain attended Eden Marine Technology High School and later graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Laws from the University of Canberra in 2005. She was the first person in her family to go to University. She completed Practical Legal Training from the College of Law in 200
