Federal election 2019: Palmer, Hanson the keys to victory
Pauline Hanson and Clive Palmer’s parties are set to help the Coalition return to power, killing off any hopes Labor had of forming government, following strong results in Queensland.
Federal Election
Don't miss out on the headlines from Federal Election. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Pauline Hanson and Clive Palmer’s parties were on Saturday night set to help the Coalition return to power, killing off any hopes Labor had of forming government with strong results in Queensland.
Despite spending millions of dollars on advertising, Mr Palmer kept a low profile on Saturday and was snapped on holiday in Fiji less than a week ago.
The United Australia Party had about 3.4 per cent of the vote nationally, helping the Morrison Government offset losses in Victoria with wins in Queensland and NSW.
Senator Hanson also kept the day low-key as her party vied for another Senate spot.
One Nation had about 2.8 per cent of the vote nationally but soared to 8.6 per cent of the vote in her home state of Queensland, delivering the Coalition a swag of seats previously thought to be under threat.
Mr Palmer would not comment on an embarrassing incident for his party on Saturday morning when a volunteer allegedly exposed himself on a polling booth at Bankstown in western Sydney.
Police confirmed a 62-year-old man was issued with an infringement notice for offensive conduct and moved on from the voting centre.
But Coalition sources were last night also concerned at the lack of presence by Mr Palmer’s United Australia Party volunteers on polling booths, meaning there would be no one to hand out how-to-vote cards.
People wearing United Australia Party T-shirts at the Freshwater State School polling booth in Cairns could not nominate any of Mr Palmer’s policies, but — despite rumours he had recruited booth staff from a local modelling agency — said he had not paid them to appear.
Labor was forced to downgrade its potential victories in Queensland this month because of the uncertainty of the preference flow from the pair, conceding they would likely favour the Coalition.
Neither One Nation nor the United Australia Party was likely to gain a Lower House seat but will fight it out for Senate seats.
The Liberals struck a controversial preference deal with the United Australia Party last month, hoping his $60 million advertising blitz aimed at disgruntled voters would help.
In Queensland, the Liberal National Party clinched a preference deal with One Nation — despite an outcry from the Liberal Party in other states.
Bob Katter’s Australian Party could not help save Labor in key Queensland seats despite running an open ticket across the state.
MORE: THE CRAZY POLICIES OF MINOR PARTIES
PALMER’S $60M SENATE CAMPAIGN LOOKS SHAKY
Herbert, the most marginal seat in the country, was held by Labor’s Cathy O’Toole by just 37 votes but she conceded last night to the Coalition
In Victoria, the Greens pushed the Liberals to the brink in Higgins and Kooyong and retained Melbourne.
Greens leader Richard Di Natale had declared earlier in the night the party was “in the hunt” in all three seats but the main focus was retaining the majority of its Senate team.
Join the conversation
‘Gratitude’: Albo loses another minister
Anthony Albanese will lose another minister at this year’s federal election after an MP with 15 years’ experience in parliament confirmed his retirement.
Read more
‘Back on track’: Dutton’s new ad pledge
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has attempted to show off a softer side to his political personality by debuting a new ad where he promises to get Australia “back on track”.
Read more