ZALI Steggall has won Warringah, declaring it a win for community and promising to focus on integrity and equality in her second federal government term.
"It is an incredible honour to represent you for another three years," she told the cheering crowd. "As a former elite athlete, I want to win!
"I am a bit emotional right now."
She said the win proved she was not a flash in the pan, as many critics had said for the last three years.
She also wished her fellow Independents - including in her neighbouring electorates of North Sydney (Kylea Tink) and Mackellar (Sophie Scamps). "I think it's time for balance where all of our voices are heard," she said.
As the count continued, and an unprecedented number of Independents were elected, Ms Steggall said she was excited about what the future held. "My team has said I was looking for more friends in Canberra and this election has delivered a bunch of strong, intelligent women for me," she said.
Ms Steggall thanked her 1400 volunteers and said: "It is time for a new wave of politics. We want politics and representation in Canberra that matters."
She told a story about meeting a group of children from St Kierans in Manly Vale on the hustings on Saturday - particularly some young girls who said they were looking for "girlpower". There were a small group of boys there too and they retaliated with "boypower", she said.
"Then, together, united, they all said 'equality'," Ms Steggall told the crowd. "This so resonates with me in that it's what we all want. We can look to future generations. We can do this!"
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