Scott Morrison’s Coalition closes in on a majority and could seal it TODAY – as Labor braces to come out of their disastrous election with FEWER seats than before
- Final tally for seats in Parliament could end up being 77 Coalition and 68 Labor
- Result means Labor would have fewer seats than they did for last three years
- Labor will have a month of introspection as they go through a leadership ballot
Scott Morrison’s Liberal-National Coalition is edging closer to a majority after Saturday’s federal election.
As counting continued on Sunday night, the first batches of postal votes looks set to shore up the Sydney seat of Wentworth and Boothby in South Australia for the Liberals, taking the Coalition’s numbers to 75.
A win in the Tasmanian seat of Bass, where the Liberals’ Bridget Archer leads Labor MP Ross Hart by 437 votes, could deliver Mr Morrison a majority in the lower house.
Meanwhile, the Labor Party’s disastrous result could mean they end up with fewer seats than they have held for the last three years.
Scott Morrison’s (pictured with wife Jenny) Liberal-National Coalition is edging closer to a majority after Saturday’s federal election
Meanwhile, the Labor Party’s disastrous result could mean they end up with fewer seats than they have held for the last three years. Pictured: Bill Shorten and wife Chloe
At 9pm on Sunday, independent MP for Wentworth Kerryn Phelps trailed the Liberals’ Dave Sharma by 1751 votes, with 75 per cent counted.
Boothby MP Nicolle Flint has a 2183 vote lead over Labor’s Nadia Clancy.
The Australian Electoral Commission also listed Chisholm and Macquarie as close.
Labor MP Susan Templeman leads her Liberal rival Sarah Richards by 312 votes in the NSW seat of Macquarie.
Liberal candidate for Chisholm Gladys Liu leads Labor’s Jennifer Yang by 166 votes in Chisholm.
The final tally could end up 77 Coalition, 68 Labor with six crossbenchers.
In the previous Parliament the numbers were: Liberals 58, Nationals 16 (Coalition 74), Labor 69, Greens 1, Centre Alliance 1, Katter’s Australian Party 1, independents 4.
The first sitting of Parliament could occur before June 30, with the government seeking to deliver tax cuts of up to $1080 into the pockets of Australians earning up to $126,000.
At 9pm on Sunday, independent MP for Wentworth Kerryn Phelps (pictured) trailed the Liberals’ Dave Sharma by 1751 votes, with 75 per cent counted
‘We want to bring Parliament together. The Labor party have already said they will support that legislation, so it will have bipartisan support, so let’s get this legislation passed so that the Australian people get their tax cuts,’ Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said.
Mr Morrison also needs to fill a number of spots in his ministry due to retirements, including indigenous affairs, industrial relations and human services.
While the seat count continues and the government gets back to business, Labor is set for a month of introspection with a leadership ballot.
Frontbencher and former leadership challenger Anthony Albanese on Sunday became the first to formally announce a tilt at the top job, following what he described as a ‘devastating result’.
Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek (pictured with Mr Shorten) will on Monday announce she will run for the leadership
Deputy leader Tanya Plibersek will on Monday announce she will run for the leadership and shadow treasurer Chris Bowen is also expected to put himself forward.
Bill Shorten will be interim leader while a postal ballot process is conducted.
The Labor national executive will meet on Monday to discuss the process.