Complex sentence: Vatskalis was successful in gaining preselection, but was not widely expected to be elected, as the ALP had never won Casuarina, and he was facing incumbent MP and Arts, Sciences and Ethnic Affairs Minister Peter Adamson.
Split into simpler sentences: Vatskalis was successful in gaining preselection, but was not widely expected to be elected. Not only had the ALP ever won Casuarina, but Vatskalis was facing incumbent MP and Arts, Sciences and Ethnic Affairs Minister Peter Adamson.