MP Brian Mitchell hesitant to claim victory in Lyons
The seat of Lyons has been called as a win for Labor but sitting MP Brian Mitchell is refusing to claim victory just yet. LATEST >>
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The seat of Lyons has been called as a win for Labor but sitting MP Brian Mitchell is refusing to claim victory just yet.
Election experts are calling the win as taking Labor’s total number of seats in the House of Representatives to 75 – just one short of a majority.
Mr Mitchell, who was first elected in 2016 and again in 2019 is waiting for all votes to be counted.
“I’m not calling it yet,” he said.
“I know others have but in my view it’s not over yet, it’s still too close.
“We’ve got thousands of postal and absentee votes to count.”
Mr Mitchell said he was pleased to be 1130 votes ahead of Liberal candidate Susie Bower and was happy with preference flow to him.
“(But) I’d like to see a few more votes counted but I am still quietly confident,” he said.
Election analyst Dr Kevin Bonham has determined Lyons as a win for Mr Mitchell.
“There was a 500 vote correction in his favour which has sealed it,” he said.
“He’s not going to get caught now.
“The numbers might close up a bit but not enough to change the result.”
Australian Electoral Commission figures on Thursday showed with 80 per cent of the vote counted Mr Mitchell was leading on 50.88 per cent to Ms Bower’s 49.12 per cent.
Mr Mitchell went into the election with a 5.2 per cent margin which Ms Bower has whittled down to the narrowest of margins.
On first preferences Ms Bower received 37.33 per cent and Mr Mitchell 29.56 per cent with Greens’ candidate Liz Johnstone receiving 11 per cent and Tony Pfitzner a whisker behind with 10.78 per cent of the vote.
A spokesman for Ms Bower said she would not comment until an official result was determined.
It is not expected a final result will be known until the end of next week.
Libs must embrace centre after election result, Archer says
Likely Bass MP Bridget Archer says the Liberal Party must move towards centrist politics as she considers contesting a leadership position in the party.
Ms Archer looks set to retain her seat for a second term despite previously being tipped to lose Bass to Labor’s candidate Ross Hart.
The decimation of the Liberal’s metro heartland across the country has become a contentious point of debate as the party scrambles to figure out where its base was lost.
Speaking to ABC’s RN Breakfast on Monday morning, Ms Archer said she opposed the parting moving further right in response to the election result.
“I’ve seen some early commentary around the idea that the party should move further to the right and I will certainly resist all efforts for that to occur,” she said.
“We must do everything to resist that, my seat is one of the most marginal in the country and despite this result, it appears that I have managed to hang on.
“I think that that actually speaks to the fact that we need to bring the party back to the centre and not go further to the right.
“We need to make sure the party is brought back to a centrist position.”
When asked if she would put her hand up for a leadership position, Ms Archer responded; “Potentially”.
Ms Archer believed the party’s approach to climate, marriage equality, integrity among others had left the voter base feeling unheard.
“I made my view on that pretty clear through my term in the parliament … and the actions that I took on things like integrity for example, or religious discrimination were brought to a head for me because those were the issues that were being reflected to me by my constituents,” she said.
Ms Archer notably crossed the floor in November to back a crossbench push to establish a federal integrity watchdog.
“I have overtime demonstrated that I’m my own person,” she said.
“That’s is the job of elected representatives … To listen to their communities and to take those views and reflect them in Canberra.”
Ms Archer said she was keen to put “culture wars and divisive language” to bed.
Senator Eric Abetz, who appears unlikely to be re-elected as Tasmanian senator after 28 years in the position, was of the opinion that heading further to the right was logical next step after the Liberals’ demise.
“I think to a large extent, the liberal party lost its way in not standing up for our fundamental values and principals,” He told ABC Radio Hobart
“If you move, and I think we did as a party, too far to the left then you can’t scratch your head and ask “why was it that the base left us?”.
Mr Abetz said it was a “bit early” for Ms Archer to put her hand up for leadership in the Liberal Party and he’d prefer to see frontrunner Peter Dutton take the reins of the party.
‘Means the world to me’: All business for Braddon boss Pearce
He’s back for a second term in the seat of Braddon, but Liberal MP Gavin Pearce says he’s got no intention of “playing politics”.
The Lapoinya farmer said the electorate “means the world to me; I’m not a Canberra-centric pollie” – diplomatically answering questions about the reasons behind his clear triumph on Saturday night.
“I think it’s got a lot to do with the genuine authenticity we’ve developed. The electorate and I have developed that trust and I take that role very seriously,” he said.
Mr Pearce said he didn’t believe his win over Labor challenger Chris Lynch was related to revelations of the latter’s 1994 drug conviction during the campaign.
“Honestly I don’t think that played as big a part as some might think. I never spoke about it or raised it once, I purely batted that away and said that’s a matter for him,” he said.
“I’ve never attacked other politicians personally.”
He said instead, he believed his success was down to his genuine approach and accessibility to his constituents.
“The more regional you are, the more rural you are, the more contact people tend to have. Down in the bush, they know their local members. The availability – it’s like they own me … and I think that’s why we’re in the position we’re in, more so than the general political trend,” he said.
“This is a hardworking electorate. They reward hard workers because they know what hard work looks like.”
When asked what he thought being a Liberal MP would be like in the new Albanese Labor government, Mr Pearce said he wanted to focus on his electorate, which he described as “the engine room of the Tassie economy”.
“I want what’s best for my region and I use that to my advantage rather than playing politics.”
‘Back-up singer’ winning race for senate seat
Tammy Tyrrell’s life might be about to change drastically – from a “back-up singer” to taking centre-stage.
The office manager for straight-talking Senator Jacqui Lambie might be about to become a Senator herself, ousting Tasmania’s most experienced politician, conservative Liberal Eric Abetz.
While the final outcome for the sixth Tasmanian Senate seat might not be known for weeks, as of the weekend, as of Sunday, Ms Tyrrell was winning the race.
“I’ve been a back-up singer, now I’m going to be front-row, maybe. I can’t wait to do that, I can’t wait to speak to people and make real positive change and influence into the future,” she said.
“You know what, I hope I get a seat at the table because I’d like to have a crack at federal politics for real.”
At the Jacqui Lambie Network celebration over the weekend, Ms Tyrrell ruminated on how her life could be about to change.
“I’ve worked for Jacqui for the past eight years – my life hasn’t been normal. In some way, if I win the sixth seat, my life is going to change a hell of a lot, but it’s going to be amazing,” she said.
But she said she was keeping her head down until an outcome became clear.
“I know there’s a lot of people in the room that are following it, so as soon as they think that I need to get excited, I’m assuming someone will get me a real drink,” she said.
“I think it’s more important at this point to thank people and reassure them that we’re not going anywhere and that rain, hail, sleet or snow, three years’ time, we’re going to be here again and we’re going to try even harder.”
Meanwhile, incumbent Liberal Senator Jonathon Duniam – who retained his seat on Saturday night – said he thought the party was in “the box seat” to secure a third Senate seat and retain Mr Abetz.
“I think we’ve put in the hard work, we’re looking good in Braddon, Bass and also Lyons and that does bode well for us in the Senate too, those votes often translate across,” Mr Duniam said.
“I hope that means we do see Eric Abetz return to the Senate for another six years.”
Mr Duniam didn’t comment on who he thought might lead the party after the election.
“Leadership is one of those things that will be dealt with when we know the results.”
Mr Abetz, speaking at a Liberal Party function in North Hobart, extolled the virtues of adhering to traditional Liberal values and lamented the trend of people voting on “the singular issue” of climate change.
“The Liberal values, if we’d stuck to them well and truly, we would actually be getting a lot more honourable wins and taking up the fight,” he said.
Nervous wait for Abetz
Veteran Liberal Senator Eric Abetz faces an anxious wait to see if he will be back in the Senate chamber or whether the Jacqui Lambie Network candidate will replace him.
It could be weeks before the final result is known.
As predicted, the Liberals’ Jonathon Duniam and Wendy Askew and Labor’s Anne Urquhart and Helen Polley with the Greens Peter Whish-Wilson will hold on to their seats.
Senator Abetz, who was relegated to the largely unwinnable third spot on the Liberal Senate ticket and the JLN’s Tammy Tyrrell will fight it out for the sixth Senate spot.
Early figures showed the Liberals had 2.13 quotas, Labor 1.83, the Greens 1.16 and the JLN 0.56 per cent.
Senator Abetz, who has campaigned hard for a below-the-line number one vote was trying to remain positive on Saturday night.
“I’m philosophical but it’s disappointing,” he said.
“My below the line vote will decide whether I am still in the race.”
Ms Tyrrell was trying to contain her excitement as she washed dishes at the Ulverstone Football Club.
“I’m very tentative but excited,” she said.
“I’m trying to keep calm.
“I know we’ve done a lot of hard work to get this vote.”
Pauline Hanson’s One Nation received 0.29 of a quota well ahead of the Local Party with .0.11 of a quota.
Earlier on Saturday Senator Abetz said he had no plan B if he were to lose his seat.
“I haven’t been thinking of plan B because I didn’t want to take my eye off the main game,” he said..
Fourteen parties ran candidates for the Senate in Tasmania and there were two Independents.
Senator Whish-Wilson was pleased with the Greens’ vote.
“We have had the biggest surge in support that I’ve seen in the past 15 years,” he said.
“Voters were very concerned and appalled that neither the Liberals nor Labor mentioned climate change in the campaign.”
Political scientist Professor Richard Herr said the sixth seat was in doubt because there were so many minor parties.
“We don’t know how they are trading preferences,” he said. “It’s a raffle who’ll get the sixth seat.
“I don’t think Eric will get as many below the line votes as (former Labor senator) Lisa Singh did.”
UTAS Associate Professor Kate Crowley described the Senate poll as “like an alphabet soup”.
“It’s hard to see what we will be served up,” she said.
“It gets down to the disaffection with the Coalition government and preferences.”
Braddon incumbent Gavin Pearce easily retains seat
THE seat of Braddon will be retained by incumbent Liberal MP Gavin Pearce.
Celebrating on Saturday night at the Burnie RSL with Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff, Mr Pearce was in high spirits – having easily got over the line after an expected tight race with Labor challenger Chris Lynch.
“The feeling on the ground was positive, and I had faith in the electorate,” he said.
“They’re very vocal up this way. They’re hardworking folk and if something is on their mind, they tell you pretty quick-smart, in no uncertain terms.”
Mr Pearce said his vision for the next three years was to focus on positivity in the region and consolidate its role as one of the major producers of Tasmania’s wealth.
“The reason I put my hand up for this job was that I was sick and tired of politicians talking down Braddon, almost as if it was a second-class place to live,” he said.
He said he could see an increase in positivity in the region “in the eyes of the people”.
“You look for the good.”
As of Saturday night, Mr Pearce had won 44.02 per cent of the primary vote, with Mr Lynch at just 21.80 per cent.
Meanwhile, Burnie-based Senator Jacqui Lambie – whose seat is safe until 2025 – said office manager Tammy Tyrrell had put in a “fair go” running for the Senate for the first time.
“I have to say she’s been out there for about 16 months and she’s belted it – every spare hour she’s had,” she said.
“I’m up next time and we’re coming hard and fast, we’re not mucking around.
“I hope with another three years under my belt that people who are still sitting on the fence about me will have a damn good look at me – just give me another three years to prove myself.”
Jacqui Lambie Network Braddon candidate Sophie Lehmann said she had been in an “underdog” position during the campaign, but was thrilled to have received about nine per cent of the vote.
Earlier in the day, the unsuccessful Labor contender Chris Lynch said he’d been “authentic” during the “twists and turns” of his campaign.
“I think our Labor message is positive,” he said after lodging his vote.
“People can see that we’re a party that really wants to help sort out some of these crises in aged care and health and NDIS.”
Labor MP Julie Collins to serve another term for Franklin
Federal Labor MP Julie Collins will serve another term as member for Franklin after securing her seat in a comfortable victory against Liberal challenger Kristy Johnson.
As the results began to filter in after 6pm, the Labor victory for the seat was called early on.
Ms Collins has been member for Franklin for 15 years after her predecessor Harry Quick retired at the end of his term in 2007.
The seat is a safe one for Labor, one held by the party since 1993.
First preferences saw Ms Collins clawing in more than 15,000 votes, accounting for 36.8 per cent, compared to Ms Johnson who received more than 10,300 votes, 25 per cent of the count.
Greens candidate Jade Darko secured more than 7500 first preference votes, more than 18 per cent of the total.
By 8pm, Ms Collins victory was declared.
While casting her vote, Ms Collins said she felt there was strong support for Labor.
“It’s been a pretty positive campaign,” Ms Collins said.
“We’re talking to people about issues like cost of living, where we’re offering cheaper childcare, safe secure jobs, cheaper medicines, we’ve been talking to people about better health care and strengthening Medicare.”
“That’s really resonating with people, people are really taking notice of that, particularly healthcare and aged care here in Tasmania.”
Ms Collins said it was tough to call whether Australia would wake up with a new government.
“We always said this would be a tight election, I have faith in the Australian people and I’m hoping for a good result,” Ms Collins said.
“It’s a big day and we’re hoping Australia votes for a better future.
“This campaign has felt pretty positive on the ground and I think people want to get rid of Scott Morrison.”
Ms Collins said it would be up to the Labor Caucus whether she would manage a portfolio.
A celebration was held at KGV for Labor supporters as counting got underway with supporters buzzing at the prospect of an Albanese government.
Despite her early win, Ms Collins left her supporters waiting and still hadn’t attended by 10pm.
‘So humbled’: Archer becomes first Bass MP in 20 years to be re-elected
Liberal MP Bridget Archer has become the first Member for Bass in 20 years to be re-elected.
Ms Archer arrived just after 9pm to a rapturous welcome at the Trevallyn Bowls Club.
“I’m so humbled and so proud that it appears the people of Bass have selected me,” she told supporters.
“I have given this job absolutely every ounce.
“I promise you I will be a genuine and authentic representative for the people of Bass.
“I am you, you can see yourself in me.
“I will give every inch of what I have for the next three years.”
The ABC calls it the ‘ejector seat’ and for good reason: since 1993, only Labor’s Michelle O’Byrne (now a state MP) has been re-elected in Bass, in 2001.
However, with a shade over 80 per cent of the vote counted, the Australian Electoral Commission predicted a 2PP swing of 1.94 per cent towards Ms Archer.
Ms Archer, who burgled Bass from Labor MP Ross Hart by fewer than 600 votes in 2019, nominated securing funding for and opening Launceston’s first walk-in mental health clinic, Head To Health, as her signal achievement of the 46th Parliament.
One of the high points of Ms Archer’s campaign was her speaking movingly alongside Prime Minister Scott Morrison about her own experience of poor mental health and losing a loved one to suicide.
Ms Archer created her own identity as a moderate the past three years, famously crossing the floor alongside four other progressive Liberal MPs against the Religious Discrimination Bill in support of additional protection for vulnerable children.
She caused a stir in the dying days of the campaign by unveiling a striking purple branding for some of her signage in a last-minute effort to distance herself from the politically unpopular prime minister.
At Labor’s function, Senator Helen Polley was philosophical about candidate Ross Hart’s apparent defeat.
“Does it hurt when you don’t win? Of course it does,” she said.
“Ross will be hurting. I’ve lost colleagues tonight.
“But the issues we raised were real.
“This is democracy at work.”
‘So very grateful’: Wilkie celebrates fifth election win
Andrew Wilkie has celebrated his fifth election win in isolation with Covid.
But he Zoomed into his crowd of supporters gathered at the Italian Club in North Hobart to thank them after winning almost half the vote.
Mr Wilkie finished with 46.58 per cent of first preference votes ahead of Labor’s Simon Davis with 18.14 per cent and the Greens’ Janet Shelley not far behind with 15.49 per cent.
He cemented his seat of Clark as one of the safest in Australia and if there is a majority government he may hold the balance of power with other Independents.
“It was a huge result and I am absolutely delighted and so very grateful,” Mr Wilkie said.
“My primary vote was down a little but the two party preferred was pretty much the same.
“I have disappointed a few people in the last three years, including anti-vaxxers and I was not able to work on the polling booth and there was a big field with eight candidates.
“I only wish I had been able to meet electors on polling day, as that is always a highlight for me.
“Having to attend your own election night party via Zoom is a little disappointing to say the least.”
Earlier in the night Mr Davis said he was pleased with Labor’s campaign.
“We had a positive campaign and if we can get a slight swing that is an achievement,” he said.
Mr Wilkie was first elected in 2010 and until this election had increased his vote at every poll.
He has promised to continue to work hard.
“Elections are a wonderful celebration of democracy and to have secured a fifth term is tremendous validation that my consistent calls for greater fairness and action on many key issues have resonated in the greater Hobart community,” Mr Wilkie said.
“I also recognise there are many in the electorate who voted for other candidates, and I will do my very best to also represent their concerns in Canberra.”
Mr Wilkie earlier took aim at Prime Minister Scott Morrison for again warning people not to vote for Independents.
“That was arrogant in the extreme,” he said.
“It was his government and the Opposition who have a problem.
“We’re not the problem, they’re (the major parties) are the problem.”
Mr Wilkie, who has had only mild Covid symptoms, will be out of isolation on Monday.
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