Labor MP for Macnamara cannot "commit" to Elwood flooding initiatives under a Coalition government

Josh Burns campaigned for action on climate change promising to commit to environment initiatives such as the management of flooding in Elwood.

Under a Coalition government, Mr Burns will not be able to see these initiatives through, an outcome which Mr Burns called “disappointing,”.

“We made the commitment under a Labor government, so if it does go ahead it would be a matter for the government,” Mr Burns said.

Greens candidate Steph Hodgins-May pledged money to many of the same environment initiatives as Mr Burns, but came in third with less than 30 percent of first-preference votes.

Ms Hodgins-May did not respond for a request for comment.

In an interview with The Age, Ms Hodgins-May said she was hoping to capitalise on the Macnamara voters’ dissatisfaction with action on climate change.

Dick Gross, mayor of Port Phillip described Mr Burns as “more locally focused” than for MP Michael Danby who held interests in foreign affairs.

Macnamara has been a Labor marginal seat for the past two elections, but this year it was secured by Labor’s Josh Burns with a swing of 8.5 percent.

Mr Danby has held the seat, often by small margins for the past 21 years.

Over the years, Mr Danby has expressed his pro-Israeli support, critiquing the Greens’ for their anti-zionist views.

Macnamara, previously known as Melbourne Ports, this year includes Windsor, a Greens majority area, previously part of the Higgins electorate.

The playing field in Macnamara was undefined this year with Windsor’s addition to the electorate, reducing the Labor margin to 1.2 percent.