by Emma Ballingall
Newly installed Member for Monash Mary Aldred declared Friday morning's declaration of the poll as "a very significant moment."

"It's the most significant privilege of my life," the emotional Liberal Party member told Monash voters. "I will dedicate every day forward to your service."
Ms Aldred was joined by family, supporters and Greens candidate Terence Steele at the Australian Electoral Office in Warragul for the declaration by Monash divisional returning officer Jodie Moyle-Burke.
Ms Moyle-Burke read the votes, although noted these were not the final figures, with about 2592 votes still to be received.
However, 27 days after the election, she stated "these votes will not affect the result of the election."
The current status of votes on the AEC website showed Ms Aldred increasing the Liberal Party's hold on the seat from 2.9 per cent before the election to a current 4.09 per cent margin.
The two candidate preferred figures showed Ms Aldred on 55,451 votes after preferences (54.09 per cent) over Labor candidate Tully Fletcher whose two candidate preferred vote was 47,069 votes (45.9 per cent).
Primary votes for candidates, in ballot paper order when the poll was declared on Friday were: Kuljeet Kaur Robinson (One Nation) - 8166, 7.97 per cent; Tully Fletcher (ALP) - 20,804, 20.29 per cent; Russell Broadbent (independent) - 10,450, 10.19 per cent; Mary Aldred (Liberal) - 32,579, 31.78 per cent; Deb Leonard (independent) - 17,529, 17.1 per cent; Geoff Dethlefs (Family First) - 1801, 1.76 per cent; David O'Reilly (Legalise Cannabis Party) - 3521, 3.43 per cent; Terence Steele (The Greens) - 5062, 4.94 per cent; Alex Wehbe (Trumpet of Patriots) - 2608, 2.54 per cent.
Ms Aldred acknowledged the work of AEC staff who faced months of preparation and "quite a process" following the May 3 election.
"But our electoral system is the envy of many parts of the world and part of our democracy," she said.
Speaking of her predecessor, Ms Aldred wished Russell Broadbent and his wife Bronwyn well in their future steps.
"I acknowledge his decades of service to our region."
She thanked Monash candidates for putting themselves forward and congratulated their work and commitment "to our robust democratic system."
The tremendous work of her family, supporters and volunteers also was noted, Ms Aldred telling them "I owe you a huge debt of gratitude."
Speaking of her emotion when pledging herself to the people of Monash, Ms Aldred said "it's a very significant moment and the responsibility is something I'm very mindful of."
"I can't wait to get to work on behalf of our community," she added.
Mr Steele, the only candidate in attendance, congratulated Ms Aldred on her election, joking she was "the best candidate, apart from myself."
"I never imaged I'd ever be a candidate," he said.
Thanking his volunteers, Mr Steele said "there weren't many of us but we did what we intended to do" which was maintain numbers in the Senate.