Unsuccessful Gilmore Liberal candidate Warren Mundine says local party disunity was a big factor in the electorate falling to Labor, when across the country the ALP lost seats to the Coalition.
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"Disunity lost the election for us in Gilmore. It's being going on for quite some time," Mr Mundine said, shortly after conceding to Labor's Fiona Phillips.
"Essentially, we had three Coalition candidates running and the preference flows reflected the confusion that caused."
Mr Mundine apologised to the voters of Gilmore for not being able to keep the seat in Coalition hands.
"Now the seat is not going to be part of the government."
Asked whether he would stay in the electorate, Mr Mundine was adamant he would.
"Absolutely. I gave up my businesses to move here and I intend to stay."
He said the first order of business was clean up after the campaign.
After that he would be working to rebuild unity within local party ranks.
"I want to organise meetings with local branches so that process can begin. We need to sit down with people over a cup of tea and get things back on track."
Mr Mundine said it was important to keep up the fight for local improvements, including upgrades to the Princes Highway.