The media is waiting at the Corporate Lounge in Mildura where showstealer1829 is holding his election afterparty with his team and supporters. Stepping out to the waiting area he steps up to the microphones and speaks

Ladies and Gentlemen I'll be making a short statement this evening then I will take one or two questions from you.

Today the people of Australia once again made their voices heard in our federal election. Before I get into the reason I'm sure you're all here. First of all may I thank the people of Nicholls for putting their faith in me as their new member of parliament. I also thank my team and office staff for their tireless work in making this comeback to politics possible. I thank my supporters, the people of Nicholls who put their faith in me to get the results they wanted, I have travelled the length and breadth of Rural Victoria in the past week or so listening to your stories, your hopes, your aspirations for what you want to see happen in this fine state of ours. The fact you have chosen to trust me with that after so long away, is both immensely satisfying and immensely humbling. I can only hope to live up to the immense trust you have put into me as your member of parliament and will endeavour to fight for the people I believe are some of the best in the country.

Today the people of Australia cast their votes around the nation and the results we have given are a mixed bag. What is clear is that there is no clear winner of this election from of the two major coalitions and that if there is to be a government for this country any side that wishes to be in power will need the support of the independent members.

Yesterday I came out and stated that my preference for people to vote was with the UDP and the SDP. This however does not mean my support for that particular coalition is guaranteed, as I stand here tonight in front of you I have no preference of either party, as such I will not be making a decision this evening on who I will choose to provide confidence and supply to. Rather tomorrow I will begin talks with my fellow independents Drunk_King_Robert and BHjr to see where their minds are and what can be done to get the best outcome for our constituents. I will also invite proposals from both of the coalitions that wish to govern this country, working from a base of what is best for the people of Nicholls.

I am not going to be the type to make demands, there is no need for anyone to play hardball in the situation we are in. At the same time to not use this opportunity to garner the best possible deal for the people of Nicholls is not one I plan to shirk. I would be remiss to the voters that put their faith in me if I didn't and I'm sure my fellow independents would feel the same way for their constituents.

At the same time I do not want to leave this country in limbo long, the people of Australia deserve a government and they deserve to know who will be leading them for the next term of parliament, which is why I call on both major coalitions and my fellow independents to work quickly and together to sort out a result and get the best for all voters.

Ladies and Gentlemen I will end my statement with this. The path to Government runs through Robertson. It runs through Cunningham and it runs especially through Nicholls. The people of Nicholls have given me their voice to be shared and it is now on the major coalitions to listen to what we have to say.

I'll now answer a couple of questions.

J: showstealer. What will you be asking the coalitions for in your negotiations?

SS: I'm not going to go into specifics of what I'm going to ask for. People saw my ideas on the campaign trail. We're not going to get all of what I proposed and it would be silly to stick to your guns for all of it, but some of those things will be discussed and I'm sure some will be agreed to, others won't. That's what we call it a negotiation. I simply want what is best for my constituents. I'm sure my fellow independents feel the same way about their constituents. All I can say is what I said at the end of my statement, the road to government runs through Nicholls and the two major coalitions will have to respect that if they want my support.

I'll take one more. Yes?

J2: Given you're in such a position of control and your strong beliefs on it does this bring the Greyhound Racing Abolition repeal back into play?

SS: As much as I disagreed with that bill and still strongly do, that fight is long over. I made my case over it and we did not win that fight. So no it won't be back on the board from me. It doesn't mean I disagree with it any less, just that its time has passed. What I am trying to do now is support the people of Nicholls and the industries that are still here and if there is one thing either side knows it is that I will fight for the people who have put their faith in me to be their representative. I am going to fight for the people of Nicholls and any party that wants to govern will have to respect the people of Nicholls if they want my support.

But if you guys will excuse me, that is for tomorrow, tonight is about my team and our supporters and I plan to enjoy the night with them. Thank you very much.