ACT Electoral Commissioner Phillip Green says Jayson Hinder is set to replace Mary Porter in the ACT Legislative Assembly.

The names of the candidates who applied to contest the vacancy were:

• Darren Churchill
• Chic Henry
• Jayson Hinder

“The Australian Labor Party (ACT Branch) candidate for Ginninderra Mr Jayson Hinder received a majority of preferences after Ms Porter’s votes were distributed by computer count this afternoon,” Phillip said.

“The computer count, which started shortly after 12.30 pm today, was completed in a few minutes. By contrast, the last time a manual count was undertaken to fill a casual vacancy in the Assembly – the 2001 recount following the resignation of Mrs Kate Carnell – the count took 2 days to complete.

“It is expected that Mr Hinder will be officially declared elected to the ACT Legislative Assembly on Monday 7 March 2016 at 3.00 pm.”

UPDATE: The Chief Minister has expressed great enthusiasm for his new team-member.

It gives me great pleasure to welcome Jayson Hinder as the next Labor member of the ACT Legislative Assembly.

Jayson is a active member of the Canberra community, and has been particularly engaged through his work as Chairman of Bendigo Community Bank and as a member of community and sporting groups.

He is a passionate rugby supporter and has spent the majority of his working life in small business. He is currently Principal at Jayson Hinder & Associates, and his background in law demonstrates his knowledge of legislation and its impact on individuals in the community.

Jayson has three adult children and currently lives in Giralang with his wife. He has already indicated a willingness to be involved in the Assembly committee processes and to support the implementation of the government’s vision for Canberra.

Jayson has a strong connection with our city, and I’m confident that his experience in the private sector and in small business will be of great value to Labor’s team in 2016.