Outgoing defence minister Peter Dutton could be 'the last man standing' to lead the Liberal Party, with Scott Morrison stepping down after a crushing election loss to Anthony Albanese. Labor is set to form a majority government, and the Morrison family's Kirribilli commiserations have been captured on camera. See how the day unfolded.
Anthony Albanese will govern in his own right with the latest vote count showing Labor will secure enough seats to form a majority.
Labor is likely to hold at least 76 of the 151 seats in the House of Representatives.
The latest Australian Electoral Commission count has the Coalition on 54 seats and a crossbench of 16 MPs, including six "teal" independents.
In the Sydney seat of Bennelong, Labor's Jerome Laxale is ahead of Liberal Simon Kennedy by 1939 votes, while the race for Gilmore on the South Coast is almost neck and neck - the Liberals' Andrew Constance is ahead of Labor's Fiona Phillips by just 48 votes.
The Nationals' Pat Conaghan appears to have retained his north coast seat of Cowper after a fierce challenge from a local independent.
North Sydney incumbent Trent Zimmerman has conceded to independent Kylea Tink, and Labor's Kristina Keneally has conceded defeat to independent Dai Le - despite being parachuted into the supposedly "safe" Labor seat.
The Morrison family have hosted a farewell function for staff at Kirribilli House following Scott Morrison’s election defeat.
Mr Morrison, his wife Jenny and daughter Abbey were seen taking turns cracking a whip in the yard.
The outgoing PM also drank beers while mixing with guests, and wife Jenny served cocktails.
US President Joe Biden has called Anthony Albanese to congratulate him on his election as Australia’s 31st prime minister.
White House officials said Mr Biden reaffirmed the US’ “steadfast commitment to the U.S-Australia alliance” and his “intent to work closely with the new government to make it stronger still”.
“President Biden expressed deep appreciation for the Prime Minister-Designate’s own early commitment to the alliance, reflected in his decision to travel almost immediately to Tokyo to attend the Quad Summit—a vital opportunity to exchange views and continue to drive practical cooperation in the Indo-Pacific,” a White House statement following the call said.
“President Biden looks forward to a close partnership between our administrations that will benefit the American people, the Australian people, and the world, starting with consequential meetings in Japan this week.”
Mr Albanese has confirmed he will meet separately with world leaders, including the US President, during his trip to Tokyo for the Quad Leaders’ Summit on Monday.
“This will be my first international trip as Prime Minister and I am honoured to represent Australia at this important forum,” he said in a statement on Sunday night.
“The Quad Leaders’ Summit brings together four leaders of great liberal democracies — Australia, Japan, India, and the United States of America — in support of a free, open and resilient Indo-Pacific, with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations at its centre.”
Mr Albanese said under his government, Australia would “continue to work through the Quad” to “deliver positive and practical initiatives in our region, including on health, security, and climate change”.
Mr Albanese confirmed he would also meet bilaterally with his counterparts, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, United States President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to “discuss ways to promote and protect our shared interests”.
Mr Albanese said he would be joined by Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
"This visit aligns with what the Albanese Government sees as the three pillars of Australia’s foreign policy: our alliance with the United States, our engagement with the region, and our support for multilateral forums,“ he said.
"I will return to Australia on 25 May, 2022, and I look forward to implementing our commitments to the people of Australia."
Gilmore is going down to the wire, as the race between incumbent grassroots member Fiona Phillips and Liberal heavyweight Andrew Constance continues.
Vote counters are trawling through the final 20 per cent of ballots with the seat split at straight down the middle.
With 81.3 per cent (or 103,857) of the vote counted, Andrew Constance leads by a slender 48 votes after preferences.
A source in the Liberal camp has revealed they are very confident of winning back the seat.
The source has said they expect when the vote is declared, which may not be for another fortnight, Mr Constance will be around 450 votes clear of the incumbent.
Labor candidate for Fowler Kristina Keneally has conceded the loss of the seat to independent Dai Le.
With 75 per cent of the vote counted, Keneally trails Le by 3385 votes.
"At the end of today, it seems that Labor will not claim victory in Fowler," she tweeted.
"I congratulate Dai Le and wish her well.
"Thank you to the people who voted Labor & the volunteers on our campaign.
And congratulations to Albo and Labor – a better future for Australia lies ahead."
Fowler was previously held by Labor on a massive margin of 14 per cent, supposedly making it a "safe" seat for Ms Keneally to be parachuted into.
At the end of today, it seems that Labor will not claim victory in Fowler.
— Kristina Keneally (@KKeneally) May 22, 2022
I congratulate Dai Le and wish her well.
Thank you to the people who voted Labor & the volunteers on our campaign.
And congratulations to Albo & Labor – a better future for Australia lies ahead.
Trent Zimmerman has conceded defeat after a crushing swing that saw independent Kylea Tink claim victory in the seat of North Sydney.
In a statement released on Sunday afternoon, said he had called Ms Tink to congratulate her on the outcome as current results show Ms Tink leading the two-candidate preferred vote at 53.4 per cent.
"Having the honour of serving our community in federal parliament has been an amazing experience,” Mr Zimmerman said.
“But that chapter has come to an end and I of course respect the verdict of voters in North Sydney.
“For me the lasting memories will be the times where I have been able to assist individuals with problems big and small. Thank you to the North Sydney community for having given me that opportunity.
“I particularly want to thank my partner Carlos for his patience, love and support. I haven’t had a day of leave since the start of the pandemic so I am looking forward to spending more time with him and (my dog) Simba.”
Get the latest updates from North Sydney here.
Outgoing defence Minister Peter Dutton has emerged from the wreckage of the Liberal election campaign as not only the most likely but virtually the only candidate to take over leadership of the party.
Defeated Prime Minister Scott Morrison conceded defeat and announced he would resign from the leadership on Saturday night, clearing the way for candidates from within the party to step up.
But the most likely contender, outgoing treasurer Josh Frydenberg, looked almost certain to lose his inner-Melbourne seat of Kooyong to Teal independent Monique Ryan leaving Mr Dutton as almost the last man standing. He has privately indicated to colleagues he will throw his hat in the ring.
Insiders have mentioned outgoing energy Minister Angus Taylor, Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews and Trade Minister Dan Tehan as other contenders but they are not considered a genuine threat to Mr Dutton.
Liberal Senator Hollie Hughes told The Daily Telegraph said: “Until we have a field of candidates I don’t know who the leader will be but I can only assume Peter Dutton is in the ranks.
“He is an absolute star performer and a terrific defence Minister. He, like Scott, has been unfairly maligned but those of us who know him know what an amazing guy he is.”
One Liberal MP from the decimated moderate faction said even if the "anyone but Dutton" numbers were enough, there were no obvious candidates to challenge the outgoing Defence Minister for the leadership.
Multiple senior Liberals told The Daily Telegraph they believed the clear rejection of the Coalition by female voters highlighted the need to promote more women through the ranks to better reflect the Australian public.
Senators Jane Hume and Anne Ruston have both been discussed as potential deputy leaders of the Liberal Party.
More broadly the Coalition frontbench will be struggling to bring more gender balance to shadow portfolios with up-and-comers like Higgins MP Katie Allen and Curtin MP Celia Hammond poised to lose their seats.
Voters in Warringah woke up to another three years in parliament for their Teal independent Zali Steggall and the knowledge that she had pioneered a new wave of independents in her image.
“The Liberal Party has lost its way when it comes to referencing sensible views,” Steggall said after claiming victory. “And has moved so far to the right it has left so many people disenfranchised and they are turning to communities.”
Her views were echoed by her supporters and the people of Mosman on Sydney’s lower north shore who had delivered the blue ribbon seat to the Liberals for years until Steggall ousted former Prime Minister Tony Abbott in the previous election.
“It’s whoop, whoop in Warringah,” said Zali supporter and volunteer surf lifesaver Colleen Button. “I’m delighted the people of Warringah have stood behind Zali and her push for action on climate change, integrity and decency in politics.”
But in her speech accepting defeat at the Balgowlah Bowling Club controversial Liberal candidate Katherine Deves told supporters including Mr Abbott “You haven’t seen the last of me.”
Out on the rain slicked streets this morning the sentiment was very different. Mosman potter Sherelyn Cullen was delighted so many of the Climate 200 supported independents had followed Steggall’s lead and won power in formerly safe Liberal seats.
“We need people who are fresh in parliament,” Ms Cullen said. “I think it is good they will hold the balance of power.”
Mosman Sunflower Lounge owner Peter Spall said the rise of the Teal independents in this election was a welcome break to the cycle of familiar two party politics.
“The younger voters are bringing that change,” he said. “My dad and my grandad are still voting for Labor. The only issue I have is that the change is not strong enough.”
Next door in The Designer Barber centre manager Robert Steel was receiving an even bigger haircut than the Liberal vote took in the Warringah electorate.
“I am quite happy with Zali as our MP. She is a moderate and that is what I like about her,” he said.
“The Liberal Party has gone too right wing, which is why so many of these Teal independents are getting a guernsey.”
Those views were echoed by Ms Steggall on the night who said: “What is happening in so many electorates to me is that communities want their voice back, they want their vote back.
“So I think it’s a real moment, it’s a new wave of politics, it’s time for a climate change to Canberra,” she said.
Three-term Liberal MP Lucy Wicks has conceded defeat on the Central Coast, with Labor taking over the traditional bellwether seat of Robertson.
With 77.7 per cent of the vote counted, Labor’s candidate, Indigenous man and local doctor Gordon Reid held a 5000-vote lead.
The seat of Robertson has gone to the government in every election since 1983.
It’s one of just two NSW seats which Labor have wrested from Liberal incumbents thus far.
“I wish Gordon Reid all the best as he embarks upon the important role of representing the people of Robertson in Canberra,” Ms Wicks posted on social media on Sunday afternoon.
Thanking her staff, family and the Liberal Party, the outgoing MP said she would “continue to serve in whatever way I can”.
Independent Allegra Spender says she has yet to hear from her Liberal rival Dave Sharma since her stunning election upset in the Sydney seat of Wentworth.
Speaking at Bondi Beach on Sunday morning, the ‘teal’ independent says Mr Sharma has not called her to concede defeat.
“I don’t know if I missed the call but I haven’t heard from him,” she said.
Current results show Ms Spender leads the two party preferred result with 56.7 per cent of the vote to Mr Sharma’s 43.3 per cent.
Ms Spender said her focus was to bring new energy to Canberra.
“I think it’s going to be really interesting – I think it’s going to be a strong crossbench, a strong mandate on the community around the climate,” she said.
“I certainly hope it shows that you can’t ignore women anymore, and it’s saying in a positive way, that in a very constructive way, we want the parliament to represent our community in its fullest terms.
“It’ll be a great opportunity to work together and I take Albanese on his word that he wants to work constructively across the parliament.”
Mr Sharma’s Twitter account appears to be deleted as of Sunday morning. Mr Sharma’s media team were contacted for further comment.
Newly-elected Labor member for Reid, Sally Sitou, conceded her party needs to “reflect” on the parachuting of Kristina Keneally into Fowler, following the disastrous loss to Independent Dai Le.
“I think that there'll be things that we need to reflect on and certainly me winning Reid really lifts my spirits and makes me think that there ought to be a place for people from different backgrounds in our parliament and (it’s) something that the Labour Party should really think about,” she said.
Asked if it was a mistake by Labor to drop the former NSW Premier into the ultra-diverse western Sydney seat, Ms Sitou said “I think those are things that the party is going to have to look at…I think (my election is) a real demonstration that people want to see someone who reflects the community represent the community.”
The new member for Reid is of Chinese heritage, with her parents fleeing Laos due to the Vietnam War. She said her own story showed “you can dream big dreams”.
“I think Asian Australians want to see someone who represents them in Parliament. And hopefully they see that in me,” she said.
“I think that is why I got the support that I do, because we want to be showing that in this country, you can dream big dreams.
“You are not defined by your postcode that you grew up in or the school that you went to or where your parents came from. You can have big ambitions and you can run for our federal parliament.”
The timing of the next federal election is likely to condemn us to an excruciatingly long unofficial campaign, sapping all the fun to Christmas and beyond, writes Patrick Carlyon.
The prime minister has adamantly ruled out making a deal with the Greens in order to secure Labor a second term in power.