“I was really happy to see the outcome in Cobram, I was so grateful to see such support in my hometown ... I’m really thankful to have that support in my own community,” he said.
Mr Brooks got 30 per cent of the primary vote in Cobram, compared to the Nationals with 20 per cent, but it was outside Cobram that Mr Brooks lost ground.
“I think we had a good campaign based on substance ... I’d just say thank you to the community that knows me best.”
Mr Brooks has also expressed concern over a number of issues, such as water policy, and what it will mean for the region.
“He (Sam Birrell) has got a really big job ahead of him not only to work in opposition to defend our position, but to work with the Victorian state Government,” he said.
“I’m disappointed in the results and I’m obviously worried what this national outcome means for our region, it’s a really precarious situation.
“We need to be really sensible about outcomes here ... we need full cooperation with the Victorian and federal governments to make sure we’re not screwed.”
However, Mr Brooks is interested in continuing to help Mr Birrell in any capacity, based off his previous experience.
“I’m happy to help in whatever capacity he (Mr Birrell) wants, he has my full support.”
“They (the other candidates) all wanted the best for their community as well, we just had different ways of getting there and different views on how to get there.
“It’s a huge commitment so I commend (the other candidates) for putting their hand up.”
Mr Brooks has no intention of pursuing a political career and is content to be a farmer and a teacher at Cobram Secondary College.
“When this opportunity arose, I looked at issues in the electorate and I thought I had a skillset that I thought would be able to assist ... I wasn’t sitting around waiting for a job in politics,” he said.
“I’m more than happy to go back to farming ... (but) if there was a role where I saw I could really be of some assistance to my community I’d consider it.”
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