Jacqui Lambie tipped to make it across the line as tight Senate race continues

For some the federal election is done and dusted but the race for a Senate spot is heating up. Read the latest.

Senator Jacqui Lambie. No Stadium Rally in Hobart at parliament lawns. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The tight race continues for the final two Tasmanian seats in the Senate.

Political observers say it is highly likely that Senator Jacqui Lambie will retain her spot in the Upper House with one analyst saying she could be elected fifth ahead of Liberal Richard Colbeck.

The Australian Electoral Commission has Labor with 2.48 quotas, the Liberals 1.65 quotas, the Greens 1.13 quotas, Senator Lambie .50 of a quota and Pauline Hanson’s One Nation .35 of a quota.

Twelve parties were on the Senate ballot paper in Tasmania and to be elected a candidate needs a full quota.

Senator Carol Brown who has been re-elected to the Senate.

Labor’s Carol Brown, who was in the number one spot on Labor’s Senate ticket, has been re-elected along with economist Richard Dowling.

The Liberal’s Senator Claire Chandler has retained her seat as has Greens Senator Nick McKim.

Scrutineers say preferences from One Nation will most likely see Senator Colbeck re-elected.

However, there is still an outside chance that Labor’s Bailey Falls could win on her first attempt from either Senator Lambie or Senator Colbeck.

Senator Lambie, who was in Hobart on Saturday for an anti-stadium rally declined to comment on the count.

“Win or lose, I’m against this stadium,” she told the Sunday Tasmanian.

The AEC says the distribution of preferences can only occur once a final quota has been struck – at least thirteen days after last Saturday’s election.

It is not known when federal parliament will sit again.

Canberra, Australia – June 28, 2016: View of inside of the Senate chamber of the Parliament House where federal laws are debated and voted by senators.

After Labor’s resounding win in Tasmania picking up two seats from the Liberal Party, Labor sources say it is likely Franklin MP Julie Collins will retain her Cabinet position.

Former state Labor leader Rebecca White who on a two candidate preferred basis received 61 per cent of the vote ahead of the Liberal’s Susie Bower is widely tipped to be appointed an assistant minister.

Originally published as Jacqui Lambie tipped to make it across the line as tight Senate race continues