The election deciders: The seats too close to call

ANALYSIS: As Scott Morrison celebrates his “miracle” victory, several seats are hanging in the balance, meaning the Coalition may face a serious danger ahead.

Scott Morrison is celebrating his surprise election victory today but the Prime Minister’s fight is only just beginning.

Several seats are still too close to call. And while the Coalition could potentially form a majority, they could also be forced to negotiate a minority government with the crossbench.

Scott Morrison delivers his victory speech. Picture: Getty

The electorates of Boothby in South Australia, Chisholm in Victoria, Macquarie and Wentworth in NSW, Lilley in Queensland and Swan and Cowan in WA are extremely close, and counting is continuing today.

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The Coalition needs 76 seats to win an outright majority, or 77 seats to have a majority and one of their own MPs as the Speaker.

If they fall short, they will need to negotiate with the new look crossbench, which includes Zali Steggall in Warringah, Bob Katter in Kennedy, Adam Bandt in Melbourne, Rebekha Sharkie in Mayo, Cathy McGowan’s successor Helen Haines in Indi and Andrew Wilkie in Clark.

News Corp’s vote tracker has The Coalition on 75 seats at the moment and Labor on 67.

Here’s the state of play in seats that are still too close to call, and some that could still potentially tip:

Boothby

Liberal MP Nicolle Flint is holding on in Boothby at this stage but there’s still 25.38 per cent of votes to count.

There’s just 1311 vote separating Flint from Labor’s Nadia Clancy at the moment, with Flint ahead 50.74 to 49.26 per cent.

If she can hold on, it could deliver Scott Morrison an outright majority. But the Coalition loses the seat, they could be forced into a minority government.

Placards outside a polling station for Labor Party candidate Jennifer Yang and Liberal Party candidate Gladys Liu who are standing for the outer Melbourne electorate of Chisholm. Picture: AFP

Chisholm

Chisholm could add to the Coalition’s majority but it won’t cost them if they don’t win it.

The Liberals already lost this seat when Julia Banks defected from the party last year.

There’s just 134 votes in it at this stage but Labor’s Jennifer Yang is ahead, 50.09 to 49.91 per cent on two party terms.

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Seats called for minor parties and independents

Macquarie

Macquarie could also be bonus for the Liberals but won’t be counted as a loss if Sarah Richards doesn’t get across the line.

Labor MP Susan Templement is ahead by just 620 votes with 82.06 per cent of the vote counted. It gives her a two-party lead of 50.36 to 49.64 per cent.

Liberal Candidate for Wentworth Dave Sharma poses for a photo with family at Easts Rugby Club in Rose Bay on Election Day in Sydney. Picture: AAP

Wentworth

Malcolm Turnbull’s former seat of Wentworth could be another gain for the Liberals which could extend its majority in the House of Representatives.

But if independent Kerryn Phelps defeats Liberal Dave Sharma for a second time, it will remain the status quo.

Sharma is currently ahead by 1053 votes with 72.97 per cent of the vote counted, putting him on a lead of 50.72 to 49.28 per cent on two-party terms.

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Seats called for Labor

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Seats called for the Coalition

Swan

Swan looks to be remaining with the Liberals, and has already been counted in the Coalition’s column by News Corp’s vote tracker.

But there’s only 2089 votes separating incumbent Steve Irons from Labor’s Hannah Beazley so it could potentially still tip to Labor and reduce the Coalition’s chances of majority government.

Lilley

Former Treasurer Wayne Swan’s ex seat of Lilley is extremely tight as well.

Again, this could be a bonus for the Coalition if Brad Carswell can get across the line but it won’t be a loss if Labor’s Anika Wells picks it up.

Wells is ahead 50.81 to 49.19 per cent with 74.46 per cent of the vote counted.

Labor candidate for Cowan Anne Aly. Picture: AAP

Cowan

Labor’s Anne Aly is ahead in Cowan but only by 1575 votes, with 27.81 per cent of the vote still to count.

It could be a bonus seat for the Liberals if Isaac Stewart can pick it up, but won’t be a loss if he doesn’t.