In a resounding win that echoes across two continents, Sri Lankan-born Cassandra Fernando has secured her seat in the Australian Parliament for a second consecutive term cementing her status as one of Labor’s rising stars.
Running in the federal electorate of Holt, Fernando celebrated her re-election with a thunderous standing ovation on election night, joined by elated supporters and fellow MPs Cranbourne’s Pauline Richards and Bass’s Jordan Crugnell. Overcome with emotion, she took the stage with a tearful smile, addressing her crowd with heartfelt gratitude.
“I am honored and humbled to appear before you as the re-elected member for Holt,” she declared, her voice firm with pride. “This is the community where I went to school, got my first job, found my purpose, and stood up for the people. Representing this place has been the privilege of my entire life.”
Fernando’s message resonated with themes of equality, fairness, and compassion values she says have guided her political journey from day one. Speaking to Star News after the event, she described the victory as a blessing and credited her “amazing team” for their unwavering support throughout the campaign.
Looking ahead, Fernando reaffirmed her commitment to fighting for better infrastructure and services for her community, promising to deliver results over the next three years.
In a gracious move, she also acknowledged her Liberal opponent for running a respectable campaign. Meanwhile, Liberal MP Jason Wood, battling to keep his seat in La Trobe, blamed a mix of factors including the Trump presidency and shifting work-from-home policies for the challenges facing his party this election.
But for Cassandra Fernando, the night was about triumph, perseverance, and a homegrown success story that spans oceans—reminding many that even in foreign lands, roots run deep.
