''I'm ready to serve'' says Morrison

He is also looking forward to being involved in the decision on a second Sydney airport and working with fellow Liberals Craig Kelly in Hughes and David Coleman in Banks in promoting southern Sydney.

Mr Morrison increased his margin from 12.7 per cent to about 16 percent — a record for any sitting member in Cook.

His swing on first preferences is at 3 percent, while the two-party preferred swing is just on 4 percent — higher than the statewide swing of 3 percent.

He also won every booth in the Cook electorate.

Mr Morrison said he was ready to meet the challenge of the immigration portfolio if selected.

‘‘But that is a matter for the Prime Minister-elect to decide,’’ he said. 

‘‘Tony has made it clear that he is happy to keep people in the roles they have been working in.

‘‘Immigration is certainly a challenge and I would be happy to step up to that challenge. 

‘‘I’ve worked in the portfolio over the past four years.  I’ve done the work and put the commitments there.

‘‘We will be implementing our policies from day one of the newly sworn-in government.

‘‘The main challenges are to deliver on the commitment to get rid of the carbon tax, build the economy, build the roads of the 21st century and restore the integrity of our borders.’’

Locally, he will follow through on his commitment of $400,000 funding for Bate Bay surf clubs.

He will also work to reduce the regulatory burden on small business.

‘‘I was pleased when Tony said a decision will be made on a second Sydney airport and I will be pleased to be part of that decision-making process,’’ he said.

He said the campaign was very positive in Cook and he commended the other candidates for their role.

‘‘I think it was a very friendly campaign here in Cook,’’ he said.

‘‘I was thrilled with the result Craig Kelly received in Hughes and now to be joined by David Coleman across the river in Banks and hopefully Mr Varvaris in Barton; we will work together as a strong Liberal Party team in southern Sydney. 

‘‘There is a lot of talk about western Sydney but I want to see the same prominence for southern Sydney.

‘‘In a role like this you can achieve nothing without the support of your family. My family has been the anchor of everything I have been able to do over the past six years.

‘‘While there will be challenges ahead of us in government, they will remain the bedrock of all my work.’’

The ALP’s candidate Peter Scaysbrook said he was happy with his result. While there was a 4 percent swing against Labor in Cook, this appeared to be less than nationally.

‘‘We are quite pleased with the outcome in Cook given that we were up against probably the third most prominent Liberal Party identity in the nation,’’ Mr Scaysbrook said.

‘‘Scott Morrison was a spokesman for a particular policy which gained a lot of attention and polarised people.

LABOR DEFEAT

Sutherland Shire turned an ever darker shade of blue as voters overwhelmingly rejected Labor in Saturday’s federal election.

Scott Morrison, who looks set to become a senior minister in Tony Abbott’s new Coalition government, gained a swing of 4.14 percent, on a two-party preferred basis, to retain the seat of Cook.

In Hughes, Craig Kelly was elected for a second term, romping home with a swing of 5.59 percent.

The results extend the Liberal Party’s margin to almost 17 percent in Cook and 11 percent in Hughes, making the challenge for Labor in the future even greater.

Labor’s only presence in the shire, at federal or state level, remains the seat of Cunningham, which stretches from Port Kembla to Bundeena, Maianbar, Waterfall and Heathcote.

Sharon Bird comfortably retained the seat, despite a swing against Labor of 3.12 percent.

Ms Bird said she was humbled to be returned as the member for Cunningham but also sad to have been so quickly removed from the ministry.

She acknowledged Labor’s significant national defeat and said it required a reassessment within the party.

What would you like the shire MPS to focus on?